Buhari Won’t Delay Assent to PIB, Says Osinbajo Barkindo, Kyari warn calls for oil sector defunding dangerous Deji Elumoye, Udora Orizu, Muhammadu Buhari will not Gas (NOG) Conference and Osinbajo, represented by the major economic crisis and industry will not only depend Emmanuel Addeh and Peter waste time before signing the Exhibition in Abuja described Minister of State for Petroleum further amplified the global on their achieving greater focus Uzoho in Abuja Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the passage of the legislation as Resources, Mr. , clamour for cleaner and more on cleaner energy sources, which has just been passed a “feat,” noting that he was not said the global lockdown sustainable renewable energy. but also upon their ability to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo by the National Assembly. unmindful of the challenges triggered by the COVID-19 Osinbajo stated that the deliver low-cost solutions to (SAN) yesterday assured Osinbajo, while declaring faced by operators in the oil pandemic had pushed the future survival and the Nigerians that President open the 20th Oil and and gas sector. industry into a state of success of many players in the Continued on page 10

Agric Minister’s Farm Produce Mop-up Fuels Inflation...Page 8

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Presidency Hails Arrest of Kanu, Igboho’s Residence’s Raid...Page 10 Southern Presidency Gathers Momentum as Ortom, Middle Belt Endorse Demand Lawmakers from south back govs ACF: We can’t dictate to parties Northern elders rebuff zoning Adedayo Akinwale, Udora momentum yesterday as Governors’ Forum for the Assembly. Constitution that reserves the said: “We agree with them Orizu in Abuja, John Shiklam Governor, Mr. next president to come from However, Arewa right to sponsor candidates to (Southern governors) fully in Kaduna, Seriki Adinoyi Samuel Ortom, the Middle the region. Consultative Forum (ACF) contest elections for political that the president should in Jos and George Okoh in Belt Forum (MBF); and the The lawmakers also backed has urged advocates of parties only. come from the South. Given Makurdi members of the House of the governors’ rejection of power rotation to exercise Speaking yesterday to the kind of situation we find Representatives from the 17 certain provisions of the their discretion on which THISDAY in Jos, ourselves in this country, it is The quest for southern Southern states backed the Petroleum Industry Bill zone produces the next capital, President of the Middle presidency in 2023 gathered demand by the Southern (PIB) passed by the National president, in line with the 1999 Belt Forum, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, Continued on page 10

BOOST FOR CANCER TREATMENT... SIXTY HEARTY CHEERS... L-R: Group Executive Director, BUA Group, Mr. Kabiru Rabiu; Governor, Mr. Abdulrahman L-R: Vice-Chairman, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, Mr. Chike Ogeah; celebrant, Mr. Abdulrazaq; and Managing Director/CEO, ASR Africa, Mr. Ubong Udoh, during the presentation of Richard Mofe-Damijo; and former Governor of , Chief , at Mofe-Damijo’s the N2.5billion Oncology Centre construction design to the governor in Ilorin...yesterday 60th birthday in Lagos...yesterday kunle ogunfuyi

Villagers Flee as Bandits Kill 21 in Katsina...Page 5 2 WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY 3 4 WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY WEDNESDAY,  Ϳ˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY 5

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike NEWS Email [email protected], 08066066268 Villagers Flee as Bandits Kill 21 in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina while many survivors have THISDAY, said the hoodlums yesterday (Monday) and laying down here; even the the government to provide fled the area. killed many people. killed 21 people. Right now, burial has not commenced." enough security personnel Gunmen suspected to be A prominent leader in He added that the state we have 21 dead bodies and He added that because of for us. We have just started bandits on motorcycles have the village, Mr. Suleiman Commissioner for Police, Mr. none of the bodies have been banditry and other nefarious planting our crops and they launched a fresh onslaught Abdulkadir, who confirmed Sanusi Buba, and other top taken to the cemetery and activities afflicting farming had stopped us from farming. on Tsauwa village in Batsari the incident to THISDAY security officers have visited those who survived the communities in Batsari Government should please Local Government Area of yesterday, said the marauding the village. attack are moving to Batsari LGA, many farmers have and please help us with , killing no fewer bandits invaded the village Abdulkadir stated that town. abandoned the farm and enough security personnel than 21 persons, including with sophisticated weapons hundreds of residents, mostly "Last time they killed 38 left their villages for safer that would remain in this children and women. when most of the residents women and children who people and even a few days places. village," he stated. Some houses, food items were returning from their survived the deadly invasion, ago they ambushed some He said even those who When contacted, the State and shops as well as farms and started shooting had fled the village to Batsari, people and killed nine. This farmed last year could not Police Public Relations Officer, motorcycles were also burnt sporadically. the headquarters of Batsari is the third attack on Tsauwa access their farms for harvest Gambo Isah, a Superintendent during the invasion. The member representing Local Government Area for village. In the first one, they because bandits had taken of Police, confirmed the Many other residents Batsari constituency at the fear of future occurrence. killed 38 people; the second over their farmlands. incident and promised to sustained gunshot wounds in state House of Assembly, Hon. He said: "About 270 one, they killed 11 people “The only way for farmers brief journalists later. the incident that lasted from Jabiru Yusuf Yau-yau, who bandits riding on motorcycles and yesterday (Monday) they in this village to be able to He was yet to hold the 5 pm to 6 pm on Monday, also confirmed the attack to attacked our village (Tsauwa) killed 21. See their corpses produce this season is for press briefing as at press time. Buhari Mourns Emily Aig-Imoukhuede Deji Elumoye in Abuja and underprivileged. The deceased, Buhari said, President Muhammadu Buhari was kind, graceful and caring, has sent a condolence message offering fervent service to God to the Aig-Imoukhuede family and humanity, which makes on the death of their matriarch, her life a beacon of hope and Pastor Emily Aig-Imoukhuede, inspiration. aged 79. He praised her contributions The president, in a statement in the secular realm too, by his media adviser, Mr. Femi serving variously as Curator of Adesina, prayed for God’s National Museum, President, comfort for the widower, Mr. National Council of Women Frank Aig-Imoukhuede, the Societies, and as Honourable children, grandchildren, and Secretary of State (Federal the entire family, asking them Minister) for States and Local to take solace in the fact that Governments in 1993. the deceased spent the latter Buhari urged the family to part of her years in a deep preserve the memory of the commitment to the evangelical departed by keeping aglow the ministry, and also to bring fire she lit for the inspiration succour to the vulnerable of all that knew her. ENCOURAGING PRODUCTIVITY... L-R: Winner of a car gift, Mr. Jamiu Olayiwola; Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, during the presentation of car gifts to raffle draw winners at the luncheon with 2019/2020 PDP Decries Alleged outstanding officers, junior & senior categories, in the public service in Lagos…yesterday Plan to Promote Magu Opadokun Blames Insecurity on Chuks Okocha in Abuja planning to promote an individual allegedly indicted The Peoples Democratic Party for compromising high-profile Perceived Security Agencies' Sectionalism (PDP) yesterday decried corruption cases. reports of plans to promote "Our party invites Sunday Ehigiator wonder the army is left to be an uncommon attachment to before the international the ousted acting Chairman Nigerians to note how the regularly much more reactive false history when he said he community. of the Economic and Financial Buhari’s administration has A leader of the National after surprise attacks of Boko had instructed the Attorney- "It remains an unbelievable Crimes Commission (EFCC), failed to take disciplinary Democratic Coalition Haram," he said. General of the Federation misery and possible cover-up Mr. Ibrahim Magu, despite action against Magu, as (NADECO), Mr. Ayo According to him, herders and Minister of Justice, Mr. that in spite of available a reported indictment for recommended by the Salami Opadokun, has blamed the have ravaged and ethnically Abubakar Malami, to dust technological instruments, the corruption and abuse of office. panel, but seeks to reward increasing banditry and the cleansed many natives from up the gazette of the grazing Nigerian state keeps paying The party stated that him with a promotion in activities of other non-state their ancestral lands and routes throughout Nigeria. ransom to secure releases,” the report confirmed that spite of the report by the actors, who are threatening homes without any honest and "The Land Use Act of 1973 he said. President Muhammadu Attorney-General of the national security, on what he productive government agencies has put state lands under the He said since non-state actors Buhari's administration is Federation, Abubakar Malami, described as the nation’s gross deterring their aggressions. governors as trustees, and there now appear to have the upper a sanctuary of corruption. which nailed him for alleged inadequacies, inefficiencies and He described the last is no provision for the central hand, the federal government The PDP urged Buhari not diversion of recovered funds undisguised lopsided security five years under Buhari as government’s usurpation of should discontinue its failed to “ease off” the allegations and fraudulent sale of assets agencies. disappointing, contending that governors’ powers," he said. strategy of centralised policing. of corruption against Magu seized by the EFCC. He, therefore, called for the the president has performed Opadokun lamented the He said: "Nigeria but to make the Justice Ayo "This is in addition to discontinuation of a centralised below expectations. activities of bandits who must return to federal Salami’s report open and reports by the Department policing system to allow states He said: “Buhari being a have effectively occupied constitutional governance if necessary, prosecute the of State Services (DSS), and local government areas to retired general promised us strategic Nigerian forests so that the component units former EFCC chairman. which also stated that Magu enforce both their state and local security if we voted for him, and farms, while capturing, can legitimately create suitable The party described as had failed ‘the integrity government council laws and and he along with one of kidnapping, tormenting, killing security apparatuses to enforce outrageous and a direct test and will eventually by-laws respectively. his lieutenants ridiculed and and collecting huge ransoms both their state and local slap on the sensibilities of constitute a liability to the He stated this yesterday, derided President Jonathan from Nigerians when it suited government council laws and Nigerians that the Buhari anti-corruption stand of the while delivering a speech at as a failed leader during their them. by-laws, respectively. administration is reportedly current government.” the third year anniversary of the campaigns. He said despite the banditry, "Otherwise, Nigeria will planning to promote Magu to The PDP said the planned Association of Lagos Artisans "[But] Buhari has performed the Buhari administration one day wake up to face Assistant Inspector-General of promotion of Magu had and Technicians (ASLAT) in grossly below expectation. There appeared incapable of arresting the unfortunate reality of the Police, despite being indicted heightened apprehension in Lagos. had been no recorded vigorous what he called the greatest supremacy of the non-state by the Justice Ayo Salami the public space that certain He said the and successful prosecution assaults on the country’s actors’ dominance, which Presidential Investigation top officials in the presidency sect has remained potently that can even deter the killer nationhood. usually results in anarchy Panel. were overburdened with violent and unstoppable as herdsmen and their wealthy He also described that can consume everybody." The PDP, in a statement corruption complicity and they regularly attack soft targets. sponsors from committing as unbelievable and He said the elite ignoring the by its National Publicity fears that a docked Magu Opadokun accused President worse atrocities." unprecedented, the regular consequences of the dominance Secretary, Mr. Kola would expose their atrocities. Muhammadu Buhari’s He faulted Miyetti Allah’s capturing and carting away of of the authorities of non-state Ologbondiyan, said: “The The PDP, however, administration of recruiting "so- position that every forest in schoolchildren, pupils, students actors must wake up from their planned promotion of Magu called on the Police Service called de-radicalised murderers, Nigeria is owned by the central from primary, secondary and slumber. is indeed ludicrous, though Commission (PSC) and the former Boko Haram members, government, saying such a tertiary institutions, adding Opadokun said: "It's true to its proclivity to cover police high command to into the army. position is against the Land that the quantum of ransom possible for people to know corruption, that the Buhari’s resist the pressure to promote "There have been several Use Act. the government has paid is the beginning of violence administration, instead of Magu and commence the reports by the media that Referring to a recent interview mind-boggling. but hardly can anyone beat allowing the law to take its processes for his prosecution these new recruits have proven granted the ARISE NEWS He said these acts had his chest that he knows who course, is rather rewarding in court in the interest of to be informants about the Channels by the president, exposed and ridiculed Nigeria will be spared, and how the corruption by reportedly justice. army's operational plans. No he stated that Buhari exhibited and its security apparatus violence and anarchy will end." 6 WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY 7 8 WEDNESDAY,  Ϳ˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY NEWS Agric Minister’s Farm Produce Mop-up Fuels Inflation Obinna Chima of 4,843.16MT of maize to your product to cause artificial onions? Their price jumped by pandemic, and in some places, cent. In Lagos, the cost of a bag company at the contract sum of scarcity. a third, according to a Nigerian reopening. of onions at a market doubled The ongoing stockpiling of N1, 380,266,697.88 only, with a CBN spokesman, Mr. Osita research firm. as producers complained of some agricultural produce delivery period of eight weeks, Nwanisobi, had expressed "In Russia, an increase in But experts said in the heists targeting the valuable by the Federal Ministry with effect from the date of optimism that the release pasta prices left President face of growing populations, vegetable. of Agriculture and Rural this letter. would crash the price of maize, Vladimir Putin boiling. In globalisation and climate Fawehinmi said the problem Development is contributing “You are therefore required reduce pressure on the market, India, it’s cooking oil, and in change, higher prices might has only become worse. “I have to the inflationary pressure to indicate in writing within and make the product directly Lebanon, bread. In meat-loving not be a blip. had people I would never have facing the country, findings three days of receipt of this available to feed producers, Argentina, the cost of some cuts “This is telling us something expected ask me for money to by THISDAY have revealed. letter, your acceptance to the thereby reducing the price of beef has doubled, and beef about the global food system buy food recently,” he said. THISDAY gathered that Office of Director, Procurement, of poultry feed. consumption is at an all-time not being adequate,” said Nigeria has struggled the Minister of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture He added that as part of the low. Cullen Hendrix, a professor economically over the past Mr. Mohammed Nanono, and Rural Development, bank’s financing framework, "The issue has made at the University of Denver and year, with low global oil recently awarded contracts to Abuja, otherwise the offer the CBN would continue to headlines the world over, senior fellow at the Peterson prices hurting one of its key some organisations to mop up would be considered lapsed. facilitate the funding of maize including in the United States, Institute for International exports. Unemployment hit 33 some commodities, including Thereafter, you are to liaise farmers and processors through where inflation has climbed to Economics. per cent in 2020, while inflation maize, sorghum and rice. with the Director (Food and the ABP commodity association, five per cent, the highest level Around the world, the way has reached more than 18 per In addition, THISDAY also Strategic Reserve) for adequate private/prime anchors, and in 13 years. people eat could change, the cent for the past two months. learnt the Humanitarian Affairs, supervision of the contract and state governments, Maize “Even relatively well-off report noted. And “militias have taken Disaster Management and Social the Director (Legal Services) Aggregation Scheme (MAS) people complain about how SBM Intelligence has been over major farmlands and Development Minister, Ms. for the signing of the contract as well as the Commercial food prices are seemingly tracking the prices of ingredients key agricultural transport Sadiya Farouq, has also been agreement. Agricultural Credit Scheme on an unstoppable tear,” the for jollof rice in Nigeria since corridors” in northern states, mopping up some agriculture “Please note that the contract (CACS). report quoted Feyi Fawehinmi, 2015, in a “Jollof index” that said Ese Oikhala, a researcher commodities. is not transferable and the cost Meanwhile, a report by a Nigerian author and analyst factors in the price of turkey, with SBM Intelligence. The policy has led to the is fixed, firm and request for Washington Post has stated based in Britain, to have said. chicken, beef, seasoning, rice, Other factors include border increase in the price of maize price variation will not be that surging food prices had The United Nations Food tomatoes, onions and others. closures during the pandemic, as a bag now goes for N31,000, entertained.” put staple meals out of the and Agriculture Organisation In its latest quarterly report, designed to stop the smuggling far higher than the range of Also, another company, reach of a lot of Nigerians. It said its food price index, which the company announced that of goods including rice, and N17,000 – N20,000 it used to Zuhala Nigeria Limited, also cited the situation in some measures the global price of it had tracked an increase of the devaluation of Nigeria’s be; while a bag of rice sells was awarded a contract of other countries. select foods, had in May hit 7.8 per cent in the Jollof index currency, the naira. around N28,000. N292,375,982.50 under the It noted that at Nyanya highs not seen since 2011, up between March 2020 and March The World Bank recently The contract was awarded to arrangement for emergency Market, near Abuja, the price 40 per cent year-on-year. 2021. But the price increases warned that high food prices two companies based in Katsina procurement of 1,051.75MT of the rice that forms the base A variety of factors are to were unevenly spread. could force seven million and Kano States respectively. of sorghum. for the dish went up by 10 blame, including a surge in Although a few markets saw Nigerians into poverty and The arrangement, which is Commenting on the per cent. orders from China, fluctuating small declines, others, such as food prices have become a being done under what the development, a source who "A small tin of tomatoes oil prices, a sliding U.S. dollar, Nyanya, saw the price of a rallying cry for grass-roots ministry termed, ‘Emergency pleaded to remain anonymous, 29 per cent costlier. And the and looming above all: the potful jump by nearly 16 per opposition leaders. Procurement,’ contradicts efforts said the policy was against the by some policymakers in the normal practice, adding that country to tame inflation. it contradicts efforts by the The Consumer Price Index monetary authorities to cage (CPI), which measures inflation inflation. stood at 17.93 per cent (year-on- “The minister is buying year) in May compared to 18.12 during planting season, which per cent in the preceding month, is not the normal practice. according to the National The normal practice is for Bureau of Statistics (NBS). the ministry to buy from the Also, food inflation in Nigeria farmers to save in the reserves has remained high at 22.28 per during harvest season. The cent, which the policy by the situation is contributing to the agriculture minister could inflationary pressure facing the worsen. country,” he explained. One of such letters by the The Central Bank of Nigeria Ministry seen by THISDAY, (CBN) last week approved titled: “Award of Contract for the release of 50,000 metric the Emergency Procurement of tonnes of maize to 12 major 4,843.16MT of Maize,” dated producers to control the price May 26th, 2021 was addressed of the commodity. to the Managing Director, DJG The bank had explained that Integrated Farm Limited, the rollout of the commodity Katsina State. from the Strategic Maize The letter was signed by the Reserve (SMR) under the Deputy Director, Procurement Anchor Borrowers’ Programme on behalf of the minister. (ABP) to companies was its It read: “I am directed third intervention in recent to inform you that the times. management under the It had stated that the release emergency situation wishes to of the grains was aimed at IN MEMORIAL... convey the presidential approval checkmating the activities L-R: Mr. Tolu Ladipo, Mrs. Angela Okotie-Eboh; Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika and Dr. Olubayode Awosika at the memorial for the emergency procurement of middlemen hoarding the service in honour of Chief Joseph Adolo Okotie-Eboh in Lagos…yesterday mubo peters Bill on State Police, Regional Security Outfits Scales Second Reading Adedayo Akinwale and note that the bill sought to alter terrorism, kidnapping, armed language, behaviour and and state governments can or Vigilante or Ebube Agu, Udora Orizu in Abuja the constitution “to provide robbery, and domestic violence. attitude of the people he or legislate on the subject. whichever name you call for state police and other Luke said though there was she is policing." Contributing, the Deputy it, they all run it. But what The House of Representatives state government security no society without crime or The lawmaker lamented Minority Leader, Hon. Toby character do they possess? has passed for second reading, services to enhance security manifestation of criminal that Nigeria, a country with Okechukwu, said the bill What ingredients are they a bill seeking to amend 1999 and preservation of lives and behaviour, the inability to over 201 million people, is was germane considering lacking? They are lacking the Constitution to allow for the properties in Nigeria.” reduce crimes to the barest grossly under-policed with the present security challenges power to ordinarily bear arms creation of state police and Leading the debate on minimum crime should be about 400,000 police personnel, facing the country. and to arrest and prosecute." legalise regional security the bill at the plenary regarded as an indictment of stressing that this number Okechukwu stated: "As a The lawmaker added that outfits. yesterday, Luke said the the country's security structure. falls far short of the United matter of fact, the exclusive there was a need to bring it The bill also provides that primary responsibility of He said: "The federal Nation’s recommendation of list needs to shed weight and to the fore the need to solve the current police system will every government all over structure of our security does one policeman to 400 citizens. if it is going to shed weight the challenges the country is be decentralised by moving the world is to protect and not encourage community Luke explained that the bill with regard to making our facing. police from the exclusive preserve the lives and property policing or localisation of seeks to amend the principal country more efficient and "We cannot be living and legislative list to the concurrent of its citizens and to maintain policing. Recruitment and law by removing police and secure, the better we are for pretending that everything is list. law and order. subsequent deployment of other government security it. As a matter of fact, there okay. Nothing is okay. If 13 Chairman of the House He stated that many years police officers in their local services from the exclusive is no state in this federation schools were closed in Kaduna, Committee on Judiciary, Hon. after independence, Nigeria area is one of the major ways legislative list and inserting that does not run a security it is not a joke. We need to Onofiok Luke, who sponsored has continually been beset of curbing crime. Such officers it in the concurrent legislative outfit. No state! Whether address this and address this the bill, said in the explanatory with insecurity ranging from understand the area, terrain, list so that both the federal it is Amotekun or Hisbah seriously," Okechukwu said. WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY 9 10 WEDNESDAY,  Ϳ˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY PAGE TEN Presidency Hails Arrest of Kanu, Igboho’s Residence’s Raid Warns freedom of expression won’t be allowed to undermine national unity Deji Elumoye in Abuja statement by the Senior "The subversive leader of in the South-east, which who has also been conducting AK-47, are clear and require Special Assistant to the the proscribed Indigenous caused hardship on citizens, acts of terror and disturbing no further illumination. The Presidency yesterday President on Media and People of Biafra (IPOB), preventing them from earning the peace under the guise of Assault weapons are not tools warned that the federal Publicity, Mallam Garba a group known for its their livelihood and going protecting fellow “kinsmen.” of peace-loving people and as government will not allow Shehu, said the Buhari murderous actions and about their normal lives. “His seditious utterances such, regardless of who they the fundamental right of administration respects the virulent messaging, was The federal government, and antics, which he is known are and where they are from, individuals to freely express right of citizens to freely detained as a result of cross- the statement added, had to have publicly expressed, the security agencies should personal or regional views express their views and border cooperation. long been monitoring the have overtime morphed into treat them all the same. to be abused to the extent opinions, as that is a tenet "This international activities of IPOB and had very hateful and vile laden "The successes of our of sabotaging the unity of of democracy. operation was executed in strong cause to believe that speeches." security agencies must be the country. It, however, charged a closely coordinated fashion their funding sources include The presidency added that commended as they have It, however, commended security and intelligence following which he was proceeds of suspected illicit while the federal government demonstrated significant security and intelligence agencies to sustain their speed handed over to our National criminal activities. respects fundamental rights deftness, guile and secrecy agencies for their recent and level of professionalism Intelligence Agency, and then It stated: "By this singular of citizens to express their in carrying out these missions. operations, which culminated to stamp out the growing returned to Nigeria to face action of our security forces, views and recognises this as a “This level of in the arrest and extradition of incidences of the kidnapping the law." sanity, calm and peace democratic tenet, any attempt professionalism must be the leader of the Indigenous of schoolchildren. According to the presidency, has been returned to our to build an armoury, coupled sustained and brought to People of Biafra (IPOB), It said: "Last week, we saw the violence inspired by communities who previously with plans either subtle or bear as we focus on extracting Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, and the the enhanced collaboration of IPOB has led to hundreds of lived in constant fear of these expressed, to undermine from our society those who bursting of the 'armoury' of the Nigerian law enforcement fatalities, particularly targeted misguided elements. national unity will not be have found a new trade in the lead proponent of the agencies, as they executed at government assets and law "In furtherance of continued condoned. targeting students, rural Yoruba nation’s protests, with great synchronisation, enforcement agents, adding diligent work, the State It said: "Mr. President’s dwellers and our citizens Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also arrests of individuals who had that at the last count, there Security Service on Thursday, directives to security services in the North-west. known as Sunday Igboho. inflicted pain and hardships were 55 separate violent 1st July raided the residence of regarding anyone seen to be “The nation recognises their The presidency, in a on fellow citizens. attacks, heavily concentrated a militant ethnic secessionist, carrying arms, particularly efforts and sacrifice."

SOUTHERN PRESIDENCY GATHERS MOMENTUM AS ORTOM, MIDDLE BELT ENDORSE DEMAND only good to allow fairness Asaba Declaration against stated. with the already established rejection of the proposed 30 operation in their states. and equity in this nation. open grazing with the resolve Also, the members of the rotation of presidency position per cent share of profit for the Meanwhile, the Northern “By 2023, the North would to legally prohibit nomadic House of Representatives between the South and the exploration of oil and gas in Elders Forum (NEF) has have finished serving for cattle rearing from the 17 Southern states North. the basins. rejected the position of the eight years. So, it should go He said the resolution endorsed the resolution of their They stated: "Furthermore, They also rejected the Southern governors that the to the South. It is not for us conformed to the global best governors on power rotation. against the backdrop of our moves to vest the ownership 2023 presidency should be to tell the South which side practice of animal husbandry. They also described the commitment towards free, structure of Nigeria National zoned to the Southern part it should go in the South; Ortom re-echoed his call attempt to tamper with fair, credible and transparent Petroleum Company Limited of the country. they can decide to give it to on the federal government to the 2010 Electoral Act elections, the members of the (NNPC) in the Ministry of The forum's position was the South-east, South-south, respect the 1999 Constitution Amendment Bill 2021 by House of Representatives Finance and backed the made in a statement issued or South-west. But it should as altered on fundamental removing the clause on from the South also backs governors in their resolve yesterday by its Director of go to the South. We know human rights, the rule of law electronic transmission of our governors in rejecting the that such should be held in Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. that they are also rational in and federal character. results as a malicious and moves to outlaw the electronic trust by Nigeria Sovereign Hakeem Baba-Ahmed. their consideration; so they He restated his commitment unpatriotic act to emasculate transmission of election result Investment Authority (NSIA) NEF said as far as the should be able to determine to speak out against injustice, the electoral system, in the Electoral Act, as well as since all tiers of government North was concerned, among themselves, which side quoting Reverend Martin undermine democracy and the confirmation of exclusive have stakes in that agency. the idea that it would be it should go in the South.” Luther King Jnr., who stated: destabilise the country. jurisdiction in pre-election They added: "As lawmakers, threatened, intimidated or Pogu added that going “Our lives begin to end the The Chairman of the House matters on the Federal High we insist that the 30 per cent blackmailed into yielding by the exigencies of time, it day we become silent about of Representatives Southern Court. share of profit as well as an office which ought to be would only be right to zone things that matter.” Caucus, Hon. Victor Nwokolo, "The attempt to tamper with vesting ownership structure settled democratically is not the presidency to the South, Spokesman of ACF, Mr. in a statement yesterday, said the Electoral Act to remove of the proposed NNPC on the acceptable. adding that the moment calls Emmanuel Yawe, told the alleged attempt to remove electronic transmission of ministry of finance instead of “We are running a for seriousness in terms of THISDAY that the 1999 electronic transmission of result is, therefore, a malicious the NSIA do not reflect the democratic government and equity. Constitution gives only the results clause from the bill and unpatriotic act aimed desired essentials of justice, decisions over where the next Ortom commended his political parties the right to could not be condoned or to emasculate our electoral equity and fairness." president comes from are colleagues for their position sponsor candidates to contest justified under any guise system, undermine our The lawmakers, however, basically decisions that will on power rotation, saying only elections in Nigeria. whatsoever. democracy and destabilise our supported the five per cent be made by voters exercising equity, fairness and justice “The ACF is a socio-cultural The lawmakers said the dear country, and such cannot share of the oil revenue their rights to choose which could strengthen the unity group and not a political resolution by their governors be condoned or justified under to the host community candidate best serves their of Nigeria, give all citizens a party, therefore, it will be reinforced their stance that any guise whatsoever." as recommended by the interest,” it said. sense of belonging and reduce against the spirit and letter the nation must and should The lawmakers described House, while assuring their The forum explained that tensions in the country. of the constitution if we exist on the pillars of justice, the electronic transmission constituents that every effort the southern governors come His Chief Press Secretary, start dictating to the parties equity, fairness, peaceful co- of results directly from the would be made to sustain their from the two dominant parties: Mr. Terver Akase, quoted him which part of the country a existence and mutual respect, polling unit as a firm step position at the harmonisation APC and PDP, saying that they as describing the decision presidential candidate should particularly in the political, towards the elimination level. must have some influence in of the Southern Governors' come from. economic and structural of result-collation-related On security, they reiterated those parties. Forum to enact laws to ban “However, when the management of its national malpractices, including their support for the NEF urged the southern open grazing of livestock parties hold their primaries diversity. alteration of figures, mutilation establishment of state police governors to influence their in the region as a bold and and candidates emerge, we According to them, the of documents, snatching and and ban on open grazing by parties to zone the presidency patriotic move that will end would interact with them and demand that the next president diversion of ballot materials Southern states, adding that to southern states and then the lingering crisis caused by find out their idea about the should come from the South on transit to collation centres, governors, as chief security work to convince Nigerian armed herdsmen. North. In that way, we can represents the opinion of the among others. officers in the states, must voters from all parts of the Ortom lauded his colleagues help the Northern voters to majority of Nigerians across On the PIB, the lawmakers be duly informed before country to vote for that for backing their May 11, 2011 make their choices,” Yawe the board, and is in tandem affirmed the governors' the execution of any security candidate.

BUHARI WON’T DELAY ASSENT TO PIB, SAYS OSINBAJO their stakeholders. working consciously to tackle “Let me assure you that would solidify regulatory a dangerous and unrealistic He added that the federal all without lagging behind the bill when transmitted to and fiscal frameworks scenario. These voices have government is encouraging on our path to meeting the the presidency for assent, and attract much-needed emerged particularly in the industry players to focus on global demand that our would receive necessary investment in a sustainable context of the ‘net-zero’ 2050 the country’s vast natural signatory to international and timely consideration. manner, adding that “the emissions discussions. TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % gas resources as a transition protocols on cleaner energy Infrastructural development, 9th National Assembly has “The fact is, however, MAYBAKER 0.39 4.43 9.6 fuel that will function as a have placed on us.” security issues, high cost of engraved itself in gold in that oil and gas have an bridge between the dominant He said despite the current operations and other various passing the Petroleum important role to play in UPDC 0.09 1.03 9.5 fossil fuels of today and the global challenges in the issues are well covered in Industry Bill.” the energy transition. Let me TOTAL 13.40 158.40 9.2 cleaner energy of tomorrow. industry, the government this all-encompassing bill. On the global front, be clear, OPEC supports the CHIPLC 0.06 0.71 9.2 According to him, the had been supporting the “On behalf of the Barkindo, whose keynote need to reduce emissions, UPL 0.14 1.66 9.2 country is ramping up its aggressive implementation government, I can assure address was themed: “Global bolster efficiency and ability to meet the increasing of the nationwide gas you that the eventual Act, Oil Market Dynamics in a embrace innovation, but we TOP LOSERS NGN % global requirement for infrastructure blueprint, if fully operational, its Decarbonising World” stated must be aware of the risk ETERNA 0.73 6.77 9.7 cleaner primary energy, which informed Nigeria’s governance, administrative that investors, environmental we run of not adequately LINKASSURE 0.08 0.77 9.4 while at the same time declaration of the year 2021 and fiscal provisions will be lobbyists and even some investing in the future of enabling much needed to 2030 as the Decade of Gas, some of the most attractive corporate boards have been this industry.” UNITYBANK 0.05 0.57 8.0 domestic industrialisation coupled with the enormous in Africa,” he added. pressuring oil companies According to him, the CORONATION 0.03 0.56 5.0 for rapid economic growth. work on the PIB to free the In his remarks, Secretary- and governments to industry is already dealing JAIZBANK 0.01 0.57 1.7 Osinbajo said: “We are not industry for investment. General of the Organisation pursue radical policies and with the harsh impacts the HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,540.00 unmindful of the peculiar “As you are aware, just of Petroleum Exporting initiatives that could, in the COVID-19 pandemic has challenges confronting the last week, the National Countries (OPEC) Dr. Sanusi end, be more disruptive than had on investment, which Volume: 288.93 million shares oil and gas operators in Assembly passed the long- Barkindo, said the long- productive for the global declined by 30 per cent in Value: N2.42 billion Nigeria from infrastructural awaited Petroleum Industry awaited legislation for the energy industry. 2020. deficiencies and insecurity Bill. This unprecedented oil and gas sector would help He said: “There have He said if this were to Deals: 4,540 to the high cost of operation, feat has been adjudged as guide the reforms designed recently even been calls for continue, the world could see As at yesterday 6/7/2021 to mention just a few. a watershed moment for to strengthen institutions. investments in oil and gas See details on Page 41 “The government is our nation. In addition, he said it to be discontinued, which is Continued on page 48 WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY 11 12 WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY 13 14 THISDAY • WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA COMMENT Email [email protected] SYLVA: THE MAN WITH THE MIDAS TOUCH Ojie Ejemhen pays tribute to Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, at age 57 t is William James, a philosopher, who says, “It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything institutions. else, will affect its successful outcome.” For those who know the Today, the NNPC that was loathed as a global outcast in the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipreye Marlin Sylva, committee of respectable corporate citizens has been found worthy this philosopher may have spoken about him, a man whose to be named as one of the strategic partners of the global Extractive positive attitude adds the Midas Touch to everything, ensuring Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) for the ongoing reforms of its Ithat they are accomplished, no matter how mountainous the task is. processes. This is not only commendable but a feat that Sylva and the His commitment and dedication to do the job is not only inspiring; it is management of the corporation has vowed to sustain. very infectious. The achievement of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), a This is not just for the saying! Perhaps this is what President global leader in gas development, is another worthy story of mention. Muhammadu Buhari would be saying today when he turns around to After quickly ramping up its production output capacity to about see the giant strides of his administration within the short period he has six trains and 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity, it had Sylva as the “alternate Minister” in the petroleum ministry. appeared its potential to expand and grow was stalled but, with Sylva When Buhari appointed Sylva in 2019, the Petroleum Industry Bill coordinating and pulling the strings along with management of the (PIB), the draft for which the foundation was laid at the turn of the NNPC and all the partners involved in the execution of the project, the millennium in 2000, was in its 18th year, awaiting approval and passage final investment decision for the construction of the Nigeria LNG Train into law. The closest the draft legislation came to being passed into law seven was taken in December 2019 at the peak of the fiery impact of was during the Eighth National Assembly. Coronavirus pandemic, which devastated the world and frustrated Out of the four components of the bill, the National Assembly passed fresh investment initiatives. the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) mainly to provide the Happily, last month, the official ground-breaking ceremony of the legal framework for the establishment of the governance structures to Train seven project was performed, in Bonny, by President regulate operations of the petroleum industry. The legislative processes Muhammadu Buhari, signaling the official commencement of the were completed, as the two Chambers of the National Assembly construction of the Train seven project. What a stride for the Nigeria produced a harmonised copy of the bill sent to the President for assent. gas sector? When completed, the plant would not only consolidate However, just when Nigerians were about to heave a sigh of relief Nigeria’s position among global leaders in the liquefied natural gas that the burden of the long delay in passing the bill into law had been businesses, but also boost the country’s current global LNG produc- lifted, the president said he would not pen his signature, citing certain tion capacity by 35 percent, to about 30 MTPA as well as Nigeria’s provisions that required further attention. competitiveness in the LNG market. When Sylva arrived on the scene, he took up the difficult assignment Over the years, successive administrations have paid lip service to of getting the PIB passed into law as one of his cardinal agenda to an agenda to harness for value the huge potential of the country’s gas accomplish. Today, what seemed unachievable by anyone was achieved reserves, put conservatively at about 206 trillion cubic feet, but not with last Thursday, with the passage into law of the PIB, pending the crucial Sylva who sees gas as a transition energy between oil and renewable final lap of getting the presidential seal of approval to make it an official energy. He believes that Nigeria needs to diversity the economy and working document, regulating the operations of the petroleum industry. create the needed jobs for its teeming population. The PIB, when signed into law, would provide the solid foundation With the world said to be approaching the end of the oil era in the upon which the growth of the country’s petroleum industry would rely next 50 years, Sylva believes Nigeria is still far from joining the energy on. This is only one of the record achievements that commends Sylva as transition train as the country is yet to harness the vast gas resources. the man with the Midas touch. Gas is fuel for our cars, domestic fuel for cooking and other household For over 43 years since its establishment, the Nigerian National chores, generation of electricity, power to the country’s industrial Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), carried the ugly toga of being a establishments, like fertiliser plants, petrochemical and methanol plants. cesspool of corruption; a place where nothing worked, despite sitting Sylva believes that before the transition to renewable energy, the at the helm of the industry that accounts for more 80 percent of the country should utilise her gas resources to develop infrastructure for country’s revenues. Opacity was its other name, as transparency and the benefit of the people. Perhaps, that is why he has supported the accountability were strange phenomena in their operations. programme of aggressive development of gas utilization projects. But following Sylvia’s arrival, the NNPC published its first audited TODAY, THE NNPC THAT WAS LOATHED AS Sylva is leading the showcase of the Ajoakuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) account for the year ended 2019, highlighting the massive losses A GLOBAL OUTCAST IN THE COMMITTEE gas pipeline project, one of the legacy projects of the Buhari administra- accumulated by successive administrations in recent memory. The OF RESPECTABLE CORPORATE CITIZENS tion. Launched in 2020, the pipeline system was conceived to help corporation followed quickly with the publication of the 2020 audited HAS BEEN FOUND WORTHY TO BE NAMED create, in the northern part, the market for the gas produced in the accounts. It has not only sustained the practice as an entrenched southern part. The AKK Project will help bring gas across Nigeria for culture, but has kept faith with its commitment and determination to AS ONE OF THE STRATEGIC PARTNERS OF the overall benefit of the economy and gas-based industrial establish- publish details of its monthly financial and operations report, capturing THE GLOBAL EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES ments across Nigeria along the pipeline route, which is expected to the performances of all its strategic business units, subsidiaries and TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE (EITI) FOR THE extend beyond Kano to as far away as Algeria to European markets. affiliates. This is an unknown tradition in the history of Nigeria public ONGOING REFORMS OF ITS PROCESSES Ejemhen wrote from Abuja TIME TO ARREST THE KILLER HERDSMEN Government should go after all criminals, writes Sonnie Ekwowusi

f the Buhari government had deployed Haram insurgents, dare-devil bandits and herdsmen whelmed in their forlorn frustration and anguish beyond reasonable doubt. I wholly subscribe to this the same dogged commitment, expertise, murderers. If the Buhari government has become in the face of the aforesaid crimes, the people had trite law. However it is detestable and repugnant capabilities and material resources deployed in an expert in arresting “enemies” abroad, why hasn’t pleaded with the Buhari government to declare that to good conscience to operate two criminal justice re-arresting Nnamdi Kanu and now chasing the government rescued Miss Leah Sharibu, the the AK-47-wiedling Fulani herdsmen are terrorists. systems in Nigeria - one for the privileged which after Sunday Igboho in prosecuting the Fulani only Christian girl still held by Islamic overlords for But President Buhari has refused to do so. Instead allows the Fulani herdsmen killers, Miyetti Allah killer herdsmen, Nigeria would have been refusing to denounce her Christian faith. of declaring the killers as terrorists, the government sponsors and bandits to escape arrest, prosecution Ia better country to live in today. Last week Benue In contrast, Governor Nasir el-Rufia simply acquiesced in their massacre of Nigerian and punishment, and, the second criminal justice State Governor Samuel Ortom re-echoed the same argues that the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu takes priority citizens. In the aftermath of the massacre of about system for the non-privileged and infidels aimed at sentiment when he said, “if the federal government over the war against Boko Haram insurgents, bandits 200 villagers in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Jos South persecuting and prosecuting the Kanus and Igbohos has demonstrated capacity to arrest Nnamdi Kanu, and herdsmen murderers because Kanu is a visible local government areas of Plateau State in June 2018, of this world. No month passes in Nigeria without they should also exhibit the same zeal, will and and central leader who was based broad and calling Miyetti Allah quickly issued a statement accepting the killer herdsmen invading a Nigerian community decision to arrest the Fulani herdsmen that are for dissolution of Nigeria. With the greatest respect, responsibility for the massacre. It admitted that it car- and killing, maiming and sacking the residents. On terrorizing our state and the country. Let that be I have never heard a more illogical reasoning. It ried out the massacre in retaliation for alleged Fulani May 30, 2021 the killer herdsmen, in large numbers, done, they are living here with us. If Nnamdi Kanu completely lacks merit. It is bunkum only fit for the herdsmen who were killed in the area. According to invaded three border communities of Benue State, can be arrested from a foreign land, I believe that if dustbin. Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen and Miyetti the Chairman of the North Central zone of Miyetti killing and inflicting gunshot and machete injuries the federal government can exhibit the same will, Allah all have centralised visible leaders. Why has Allah Danladi Ciroma, “These attacks are retaliatory on the residents. On or around May 29, 2021 no they will arrest Fulani herdsmen, especially Miyetti the Buhari government refused to arrest their respec- …Fulani herdsmen have lost about 300 cows in the fewer than 42 persons were reportedly killed by the Allah who have owned up to the killings in Benue tive leaders for murder? In any case, assuming Boko last few weeks — 94 cows were rustled by armed some Fulani herdsmen in separate attacks in Katsina State and have continued to terrorize our land”. Haram, bandits and the murderous herdsmen have Berom youth in Fan village, another 36 cows were Ala and Gwer West local councils of Benue State. Governor Ortom, undoubtedly, is right. The no identifiable leaders, which is denied, what stops killed by Berom youth. In addition to that, 174 cattle And in June 2021 not less than 10 persons were killer herdsmen, as you are well aware, have been the government from defeating them? What about were rustled and the criminals disappeared with reportedly killed by herdsmen in Igangan, in Ibarapa committing unspeakable atrocities in Nigeria and Miyetti Allah with identifiable leaders which has them to Mangu [Local Government]… Since these North Local Government Area of . What getting away with them since President Buhari came openly been admitting responsibility for killing many cows were not found, no one should expect peace is the response of President Buhari to these recent to power. Apart from killing, maiming and raping Nigerians? If Kanu is calling for the dissolution of in the areas”. Till date the Buhari government has killings? Acquiescence. This is unacceptable. This is their victims to death, the herder killers in conspiracy Nigeria as Governor Rufai submits, the herdsmen are refused to arrest or interrogate Ciroma for declaring the time to arrest the criminal herdsmen and bring with their cohorts from Niger Republic have been committing the worst crime - forcefully displacing war on Nigeria. Neither has the government deemed them to justice. Sad that the Fulani herdsmen killers violating Nigeria’s territorial sovereignty - destroying, Nigerians from their ancestral lands and forcefully it fit to declare Miyetti Allah a terrorist organization have killed thousands upon thousands of innocent encumbering and confiscating farmlands across occupying them. The latter is the worst tragedy that for inciting the public, waging war against Nigeria Nigerians in the last six years but unfortunately so Nigeria. This has resulted in the scarcity of and can befall a people. and for fanning the embers of disunity in Nigeria. single Fulani herdsmen murderer has been arrested soaring prices of foodstuffs in Nigeria. Beating his For six years the AK-47-wielding Fulani herds- I hold no brief or sympathy for any Nnamdi let alone prosecuted in the law court. The Buhari chest in the euphoria of triumph, Lai Mohammed men and their cohorts from Niger Republic have Kanu or Sunday Igboho. It is trite criminal law that government should stop harbouring criminals. boasts that it took the federal government two persistently been murdering, maiming, kidnapping criminal suspects such as Kanu and Igboho upon Nobody is above the law of the land. All criminals years to closely trail and re-arrest Nnamdi Kanu. and raping their Nigerians victims. They take reasonable suspicion and evidence that they had are equal before the law. The murderous herdsmen Which means that over the last two years the women and children hostage as well as confiscate committed offence or offences known to law, could, should not be treated as sacred cows while other Buhari government has been trailing Kanu instead the farmlands of farmers which in actual fact is pursuant to the rule of law, be arrested and charged criminal suspects are treated as escape goats. What is of ridding Nigeria of the atrocities of the Boko a violation of Nigeria’s territorial integrity. Over- to court and punished if found guilty upon proof sauce for the goose is equally sauce for the gander. THISDAY • WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021 15 EDITORIAL ISWAP: OLD WAR, NEW TACTICS

Security agencies should devise ways to contain the new security challenges

ast week report in a national news- It is on public record that the Al-Barnawi group paper that Boko Haram, ANSARU, has pledged its loyalty to a more sophisticated foreign Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s support. The supremacy of ISWAP over Boko Haram branch in West Africa (ISWAP) and has already reopened a new era in insurgency backed other terror groups are competing by foreign powers. It should therefore not be seen as with one another in a mass member- reduction in the terror attacks as the al-Barnawi led ship drive in the northern part of the group has lately posed a greater threat to the Nigerian country is a worrisome development. military. It means that the terror group which has These terror groups are also reported to be hoisting pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq, that Ltheir flags within some ‘annexed’ territories and col- has been decimated in the Middle East, is shifting lecting taxes from residents. It cannot be an accident its energy to insurgencies in Africa. This bodes ill for that these developments are coming following the Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Cameroun, and other neigh- elimination of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, bouring countries of West African region. by Abu Musab al-Barnawi of the breakaway ISWAP. While the battle against violent extremism and all SIS, the principal partner of ISWAP, is an extrem- forces of disintegration is a war which the Nigerian ist group noted for sectarian hatred, unbridled state must win, the authorities must understand savagery, beheadings, and mass executions. that the risk posed by the tactically astute ISWAP The well-provided-for organisation gained deserves more attention, if they are to contain the Iinternational notoriety in 2014 when it drove Iraqi growing national security threats. Al-Barnawi is more government forces out of some key cities, including strategic than Shekau. Against the background that Mosul, the country’s second largest city. A United in July 2018, The Sun Nations Commission of inquiry on Syria discovered ISWAP MUST NOT BE newspaper of the in 2016 that the group had no scruples in using any ALLOWED TO GAIN United Kingdom, deadly weapons available, including cluster bombs, FOOTHOLD IN A COUNTRY reported that ISIS chemical and biological weapons on innocent civilians THISDAY LITTERED WITH ANGRY leaders were furtively EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI to achieve its aim of an Islamic caliphate. MILLIONS OF YOUTHS bringing their com- DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI AJAYI, DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN, We commend the military for their efforts in trying manders into Nigeria MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO to contain the insurgency that had in the past 12 years WHO ARE BEREFT OF DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE OPPORTUNITIES to recruit and train CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI led to the death of over 40,000 innocent Nigerians. terrorists, the military EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN The dramatic upsurge in violence with the insurgents must understand that MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE unleashing vicious and gruesome attacks on civilians we have just entered a new, and perhaps more sinister, as well as members of the armed forces, is a clear phase in the fight against insurgency. THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED testimony that they still constitute mortal danger A militant group with perhaps the most brutal EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA to their immediate and outlying communities and version of Islamic rule, ISWAP must not be allowed to GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, indeed, to members of the armed forces. Meanwhile, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI gain foothold in a country littered with angry millions DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, with reports that ISWAP and other terror affiliates of youths who are bereft of opportunities. Already, ANTHONY OGED ENGBE are recruiting members, the military must devise a many countries in the sub-region, particularly those DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI new strategy in dealing with an insurgency backed SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH sharing borders with Nigeria, are weighed down ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI by international partners. If there is anything that by internal challenges. There will be no shortage of CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI the development underscores, it is that the security DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO people from which to recruit. The authorities must HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA challenges are taking a different and perhaps more bear this in mind in their counterstrategies. TO SEND EMAIL: first [email protected] dangerous dimension.

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HOW TO AVOID SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

n recent times the fear of sickle cell disease is the beginning of Asian and Latin American descents. And finally, Sickle Hemoglobin-O disease die before the age of five, usually from an infection or severe wisdom to young couples who see their future together, but when Disease. Hemoglobin O, another type of substitution in the beta blood loss. However, in countries such as Cameroon, Republic of there is a symptom of sickle cell in one, that relationship comes to globin gene, also interacts with sickle hemoglobin. Individuals with Congo, Gabon, Ghana and Nigeria, the prevalence is between 20% to a halt. sickle hemoglobin- O disease (SO) can have symptoms of sickle cell 30% while in some parts of Uganda, it is as high as 45%. There are several types of sickle cell disease. The most common anemia. Populations that have a high frequency of sickle hemoglobin-O A recent study by Nwogoh etal in Benin city, revealed an SCD are: Sickle Cell Anemia (SS), Sickle Hemoglobin-C Disease (SC), disease are those of Arabian, North African and Eastern Mediterranean prevalence of 2.39% and a carrier rate of about 23%. ISickle Beta-Plus Thalassemia and Sickle Beta-Zero Thalassemia. descents. Most times a person suffering from SCD has some physical attributes When a child inherits one substitution beta globin genes (the sickle The most common of them all, sickle cell anemia, is an inherited that ranges from a normal build to a tall lanky physique depending on cell gene) from each parents, the child has Sickle Cell Anemia (SS). condition that causes a type of faulty hemoglobin in red blood cells. the clinical severity. In childhood, sickle cell patients are shorter than Populations that have a high frequency of sickle cell anemia are those of It is the most common blood disorder passed down from parents to normal, puberty is often delayed and considerable growth takes place African and Indian descents. children. People with this disorder have a typical hemoglobin molecules in late adolescence such that adults with SCD are at least tall as normal. Individuals with Sickle Hemoglobin-C Disease (SC) have a slightly called hemoglobin S, which can distort red blood cells into sickles, Many of these physical changes are due to the chronic hypothermia different substitution in their beta globin genes that produces both crescent moon or make them shapeless. associated with severe anemia. hemoglobin C and hemoglobin S. Sickle Hemoglobin-C disease may The Red Blood vessel carries oxygen to all parts of the body. In This disease has a great effect on the liver. This effect of SCD on cause similar symptoms as sickle cell anemia but less anemia due to someone who has SCD, the red blood cells become hard and sticky and the liver manifests as liver dysfunction often referred to as sickle cell a higher blood count level. Populations that have a high frequency of look like a C - shaped farm tool unlike the healthy red blood cell which hepatopathy. It occurs predominantly in patients with SCD and to a sickle hemoglobin-C disease are those of West African, Mediterranean is round shaped. lesser extent in patients with HbC diseases and HbS Thalassemia. This and Middle Eastern descents. Individuals with Sickle Beta Thalassemia The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red liver dysfunction encompasses a range of hepatic pathology arising (SB) disease also contain substitutions in both beta globin genes. The blood cells and when they travel through small blood vessels, they get from the primary SCD process and complications of its treatment. severity of the disease varies according to the amount of normal beta stuck and clog the blood flow. This causes pain and other problems like The primary disease process that may lead to liver dysfunction in- globin produced. When no beta globin is produced, the symptoms are infection, acute chest syndrome and stroke to its victim, which can be cludes anemia, suckling of red cells in the Sinusoid, swollen kuffer cells, almost identical to sickle cell anemia, with severe cases needing chronic known as sickle cell crisis. fibrin deposits and healing thrombosis leading to obstruction of blood blood transfusions. Populations that have a high frequency of Sickle Most SCD patients do not manifest clinically till about age of six flow in the liver. Consequences of treatment such as blood transfusion Beta Thalassemia are those of Mediterranean and Caribbean descents. month when the level of hemoglobin F (HbF) begins to fall. They may and antibiotics therapy can also lead to liver dysfunction complications Through research, hemoglobin D, which is a different substitution of the present with pallor, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly and swelling of of multiple blood transfusion like iron overload, acute and chronic beta globin gene, has been found to interact with the sickle hemoglobin dorsal of hands/ feet ( hand foot syndrome ) failure to thrive, infections, infection with hepatitis B and C are also important causes of liver gene. Individuals with Sickle Hemoglobin-D disease (SD) have sickle cell habits, etc. dysfunction in SCD. Third generation Calphalosporins are known to moderately severe anemia and occasional pain episodes. Populations According to WHO, the African region is mostly affected by this sometimes crystallize in the gallbladder leading to choleithiasis. that have a high frequency of sickle hemoglobin-D disease are those of disease. Also, the majority of children with the most severe form of the Chinenye Anichebe, Gaduwa Estate, Dudu- Abuja 16 WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY 17 18 THISDAY ˾WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email [email protected] MIDWEEKPOLITICS 08114495324 SMS ONLY Again, Akpabio in the Eye of the Storm Emameh Gabriel writes that Senator , Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is not the right man for the task of ridding the Niger Delta Development Commissiony of corruption and sanitising its operations

Buhari Lawan Gbajabiamila Akpabio

here is no end in sight to the power audit by President Muhammadu Buhari. Central Enyia in October 2019, but she was sacked four management. play, allegation of corruption, to the problem of the NDDC has always been months later. She made a startling allegation The IMC was viewed with suspicion by the breathtaking scandals and most accountability. during a Senate public hearing in 2020, that National Assembly as an appendage of Akpabio, conspicuously, the scramble for the With the ascension of Akpabio as Minister during her brief tenure at the commission, which subsequently launched a series of probe control and management of the Niger in 2019 after his defection from the opposition Mr Akpabio repeatedly pressured her to take that resulted in the inglorious fainting of Prof. TDelta Development Commission (NDDC), a People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he began to “an oath of secrecy” that was meant to keep Pondei before the house committee. situation that is almost at the verge of tearing make moves to asset himself and the Ministry her from exposing fraud at the commission. But Akpabio and the interim committee the Niger Delta region apart. of Niger Delta Affairs over the commission She told the committee that only N8 billion fought back saying “disgruntled elites who Giving the widespread graft that the commis- much to the consternation of some stakeholders of the said N81.5 billion spent between October are uncomfortable with the forensic audit of sion is notorious for since inception, President in the region. Many of which felt the NDDC 2019 and May 2020 was spent under her watch. the commission have mobilized resources to Muhammadu Buhari in his wisdom in May as an interventionist agency should operate She also said that she was under pressure demonize them and that it was untenable and 2020 desolved the Prof. Keme Pondei’s led with the least political interference if it is to by Mr Akpabio to abuse processes and engage indefensible”. They even accused National Interim Management Committee (IMC) of deliver the required and expected good to the in financial recklessness, and accused him of Assembly members of being major beneficiaries the commission after allegations of financial people of the Niger Delta region. Akpabio was hijacking the forensic audit ordered by President of NDDC contracts. misappropriation and other official misconducts a member of the Senate standing committee Muhammadu Buhari. levelled against the committee. on NDDC. He understands its workings and Analysts posit that Akpabio’s quest for control Stakeholders protest, denounce Akpa- The President subsequently ordered for a political intricacies. As a former governor of is clear in the appointment of Effiong Okon bio’s move forensic audit and investigation to chat a new a NDDC-member state, he was involved in Akwa as current interim administrator, and Despite attempts by Akpabio to calm frayed path for the commission as well as to put an nomination of key administrators of the agency. that it can ethical compromise the said forensic nerves through his region wide itinerary, many end to the decades long rot in the commission, Clearly, it was for this reason that when the audit. This is because Mr Akwa served as SA in the Niger Delta still think that he is exercising that has become endemic. President in mid - 2019 constituted a new board Finance to Mr Bassey Dan-Abia while he was undue influence in the affairs of the commission One year after, a new management board is for the commission it did not seat well with MD of the NDDC between 2013 and 2015. which they say is inimical to peace, stability yet to be constituted despite the clamour and Akpabio, who in the middle of the confirmation He, in fact was posted by Akpabio to Dan- and development in the region. They contend pressure by various interests groups in the oil by the Senate went round to get the President’s Abia for that job. Akpabio as that board dissolved by the president under producing region on President Muhammadu approval for an interim management committee governor between 2007 and 2015 nominated the instigation of the minister was the result Buhari even after the nomination and subse- pending the completion of the forensic audit. Dan-Abia and got him appointed as NDDC of wide consultation in the region and had quent screening of selected members across the Political watchers have avared that Akpabio MD in 2013. Those years are part of the period the backing and acceptance of stakeholders. region since last year by the National Assembly. is afraid of the calibre of personalities that were under investigation by the forensic audit, yet, According to them any attempt to reconstitute Similarly, report of the forensic audit or- appointed board nominees by the president, a key player in the NDDC mess during this the board with new set of individuals would dered by the President has till date not been such as Dr Pius Odubu, who is a close associate period in the person of Mr Akwa is now in defeat the purpose and mandate of the com- released, such that it is already creating rooms and deputy governor of under Adams charge of overseeing the forensic audit. And mission as it would give certain politicians for eyeballs to raise. Oshiomhole, who was then national chairman that Akwa was part of the discredited IMC. or political faction overwhelming influence The ultimatum issued by Niger Delta leaders of the APC and Bernard Okumagba a respected that may not necessarily reflect the will and to President Buhari to inaugurate a new board technocrat, who is a former Commissioner of Clash with National Assembly aspirations of the people. expired last week. Economic Planning and Finance in Delta State Akpabio’s move to prevent the newly Just last week some elders in the region under In what appears to be a watery response to under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. With confirmed governing board to take over the the auspices of Rural Chiefs and Development the agitations from the Niger Delta region, both at the helm of the board as Chairman management of the NDDC by swiftly setting Initiative called on President Muhammadu Minister of Niger Delta affairs, Goodwill and Managing Director, it would be difficult up an Interim Management Committee did not Buhari to dissolve the interim management Akpabio, recently at the State House told for Akpabio to enjoy an unbridled reign over seat well with the National Assembly members committee of the NDDC and inaugurate the journalists that the much awaited report of the commission. with accusations and counter - accusations. With president’s nominees cleared and confirmed the forensic and special audit into the Niger Akpabio’s attempt to exercise a stranglehold Senate President, Ahmed Lawan mandating by the Senate in 2019. Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is over the agency may not be unconnected to the Senate Niger Delta Committee to deal with This came after the expiration of an ultimatum expected to be ready by the end of July. He also his fallout with and removal of two previous the board instead of the IMC. But in a swift handed by leader of Niger Delta to the federal disclosed that a new board of the commission acting MD’s he controversially appointed. and deft move Akpabio got the president to government to constitute a management board would be reconstituted. Ms Joi Nunieh assumed office as the acting dissolve the constituted board, removing an for the commission. This came after various groups in the Niger MD of NDDC after the removal of Akwagaga obstacle to the smooth operation of the interim In a letter to the president, the Niger-Delta Delta had faulted the current management com- chiefs described the Interim Management mittee of the board and called on the President team set up by the Minister of Niger Delta, to inaugurate a new board as in line with the Godswill Akpabio, as illegal and unacceptable, Act establishing the commission. Political watchers have avared that Akpabio is afraid saying it negates the Act that establishing the Clearly, Akpabio seems to have been involved commission. in a long running struggle to dictate the affairs of the calibre of personalities that were appointed The letter jointly signed by the Chairman of the NDDC. He prides himself on a mandate board nominees by the president, such as Dr Pius of the group, Chief Nengi Eriwori, and Legal to rid the agency of corruption and sanitize its Adviser, Mr. Ebinyu Aderigba, the group said operations in the interest of the Niger Delta Odubu, who is a close associate and deputy governor the tenure of the previous interim management but many do not think he is such a man for board had expired, noting that they were not the task. of Edo state under , who was then unaware of the power of the president under The NDDC since its creation in 200 has been the 1999 constitution as altered to delegate the focal point of Niger Delta politics, as control national chairman of the APC and Bernard Okumagba his powers to any ministry to carry out any of the Commission has always reflected the a respected technocrat, who is a former Commissioner function as contained in Section 170 of the power balance on the ground, as politicians constitution. and factions vie for control and influence over of Economic Planning and Finance in Delta State They argued that the Act establishing the one of the most lucrative federal agency in NDDC does not contemplate interim man- the country. under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. With both at agement to take over the management of the Power brokers see it as a cash cow and funds the helm of the board as Chairman and Managing commission. from its coffers have been used to further politi- cal interests. It is this prevailing situation that Director, it would be difficult for Akpabio to enjoy NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the has engendered high leadership turnover in online edition on www.thisdaylive.com the agency overtime and the order for forensic an unbridled reign over the commission THISDAY ˾WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 19 POLITICS APC, PDP Play Hide and Seek GOVERNANCE IN PHOTOS Over National Conventions Chuks Okocha writes that the two major political parties-All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party are playing a waiting game to see which of them holds its national convention first; a decision that may dictate political trends around the 2023 national elections

Valentine Ozigbo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship flag-bearer for the 2021 Anambra governorship election (in white) poses with Reverend Father Chris Ezeonyemalu, the parish priest of St. Vincent Catholic Church, Amesi and Robert Umeozulu (in blue), and the women leaders of the VCO Campaign Organisation in the 21 local government areas of at a thanksgiving service held in Mr Ozigbo’s honour at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, Amesi

Buni Secondus

n his lecture last Wednesday, former and aspiring to have the APC Number One INEC National Commissioner, Prof. party official will be asking for too much as Adele Jinandu said that the two main there are other states in the zone political parties, the All Progressives The general opinion is that allowing Senator Congress (APC) and the Peoples Demo- Sheriff to become the national chairman of Icratic Party (PDP) national conventions to elect the APC is like setting a cold war in motion their national chairmen will, to a great extent, between the Governor of , Prof determine the political permutations of the 2023 Babagana Zulum and former governor Shet- national elections and where their presidential tima, which will eventually consume the APC candidates will come from. in the state. THISDAY gathered that these were Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of (left) receiving his visiting colleague Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi He delivered the lecture at the annual the persons that fought Senator Ali Sherrif State at Government House Umuahia Abubakar Momoh Lecture titled “Security ro a standstill in the state and this led to his and Elections: Implications for Anambra State eventual defection to the PDP, but he has since Governorship and the 2023 General Election.’ returned to the APC. It has been gathered that while PDP will hold The next option in the line of those that want it’s national convention in late November or to become the national chairman of the APC is early December, the APC will hold its national Senator Danjuma Goje. He is a former governor convention in December 2021. of and a serving senator. But to Specifically, Prof. Adele Jinandu said that many, he is not serious because of the way how the APC and the PDP conduct and manage he chickened out of the race for the office of their national conventions towards the end the Senate President in 2019. of the year will begin to shape a direction to He renounced his aspiration at the eleventh the 2023 general election. hour after a visit to see President Muham- This is gradually becoming the true posi- madu Buhari. Many see this as a cowardly tion as it was gathered that the APC national act. No reason was given why he chickened convention will take place in December this out, but many say that his action may not be year after the PDP National convention in unconnected with his past as a governor of the November. state for eight years. With his decision not to The APC is waiting to see how the PDP contest for the office of the Senate President, the national convention goes, to decide where coast was then clear for the incumbent Senate the national chairman of the ruling party will President, Ahmad Lawan. So, to many, the come from. The idea, is that the election of the aspiration of Goje should not be taken serious. national chairman of the APC will sign post The next option is the North-central zone where their presidential candidate for the 2023 where the likes of Saliu Mustapha, a former will come from. The same goes for the PDP. deputy national chairman of the Congress However, despite the hide and seek tactics of for Democratic change (CPC), two former the APC by waiting on the PDP to first conduct governors of , Senator Al L-R: Chairman, Council of Elders, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi; Ekiti State Governor Dr. ; its national convention, there are concrete Mankura and Adamu and Special Adviser to the Governor on Development Partnerships and SDGs Mrs. Margaret Fagboyo; during indications that some offices have been zoned and the Minister of Special Duties, Senator the foundation laying ceremony of the Ekiti Elderly People’s Resort in Ado -Ekiti and given to individuals to ensure ease of the are in the face. convention. One thing going for the zone is that it is the To this end, it was gathered that the former bridge between the North and South. It looks governor of , Andulkadir Yari most natural that the next national chairman may have jettisoned his ambition of becoming of APC will come from the zone. This explains the national chairman of APC to accept the the avalanche of aspirants from the North- post of the deputy national chairman north. central to become the national chairman of ThIs was the outcome of a series of meet- APC. But one thing that is not going for the ings that eventually led to the defection of former governors is that they have not been Governor Bello Matawalle to the APC and the good managers of political parties. state offices and structure handed over to him. Members of the APC are quick to point to With this, Yari is out of the contention for the what the former governor of the APC, Adams office of the national chairman of the party. Oshiomhole has done to the party. They also For the North-east, there is the aspiration of said that the roles played by former governors the former governor of Borno state, Senator Ali in the PDP have not advanced the cause of Modu Sherrif who seems to have an uphill task democracy and allowing former governors to in the person of the Senate President, Ahmad become national chairmen of political parties Lawan and the former governor of the state, is like enthroning autocracy. Kassim Shettima . For instance, the history of former governors The position of the APC in the North-east, as chairmen of PDP in the past has not been particularly, is that the national chairman of the palatable. APC should not come from the Borno/Yobe axis as it already has a sitting Senate President in NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, ppresenting an Award of Excellence to Governor, the person of Senator Lawan. Allowing Borno online edition on www.thisdaylive.com Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, during the inauguration of Hunters Group of Nigeria, Osun State Command, at Freedom /Yobe zone to have a number three position Park Osogbo 20 THISDAY ˾  ͵, 2021

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi FEATURES Email [email protected], 07010510430 Actualising Nigeria's Blue Economy through Hydrography Given that the blue economy is centered on trade and actions around large bodies of water ranging from rivers to oceans, Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that the recently commemorated 2021 World Hydrography Day provided ample opportunity to highlight the import of hydrography to the project and the Nigerian Navy's role in actualising it

Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa (third right); Hydrographer of the Navy, Rear Admiral Emeka Okafor (second right); Executive Officer NNS LANA, Commander Olatunji Oladipo (fourth left); and other officers onboard NNS LANA

he blue or marine economy This was seen during the last World is the ecosystem of economic Hydrography Day (WHD) when the activities centred on trade and NNHO published the first indigenous actions around large bodies of navigational chart ever produced by water ranging from rivers to Nigeria; NG 2501 (Lagos Harbour Chart) Toceans. When this is managed effectively, with much fanfare. it yields better dividends given that According to the Hydrographer over 90 per cent of the world’s trade of the Navy, Rear Admiral Emeka is conducted by the sea, and this is Okafor during the 2019 WHD, "this by far, the most cost-effective way to feat completed Nigeria’s hydrographic move large quantity of goods and raw capacity development as required by materials around the world. the IHO". The navy has gone on to Globally, the economy of nations achieve other feats in the field. have been hugely dependent on various This year, they again ramped up its maritime activities. Daily, about 180,000 boost for hydrography with the recent vessels take to sea and 30 million tons acquisition of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) of goods are ferried across the world; LANA. Over the years, the capacity ports are built, coastal infrastructure are of the NN to conduct hydrographic developed, coasts are defended, marine surveys that would assure safety of environmental plans are implemented. naval and merchant traffic at sea was For all these things to happen, the significantly hampered by the absence hydrographer is key as without their of a hydrographic ship in its fleet. services by providing charts and other That gap was what the newly acquired nautical publications, voyages through hydrographic vessel, NNS LANA, a the sea would have become a nightmare first ever purpose-built Offshore Sur- to captains of ships who need to move vey Vessel, is geared to provide by goods and services from one part of improving reliable hydrographic data the world to the other in a safe and and information as a critical component economical way. in the projection of naval power for Essentially, hydrography is the science enhanced maritime security in Nigerian of the measurement, description, and waters and the Gulf of Guinea at large. mapping of the surface waters of the Essentially, the vessel would also earth, with special reference to their afford Nigeria with the opportunity use for navigation. of keying into the General Bathymet- However, hydrography not only ric Charts of the Oceans (GEBCO) deals in understanding the physical Seabed 2030 project and the Global features of water bodies, but also Multi-Resolution Topography (GMRT) plans economic development, security synthesis project which would ultimately and defence, scientific research, and facilitate Nigeria’s accomplishment of environmental protection related to it its obligation under SOLAS Convention. and this was done through making of During a recent brief tour of NNS charts to aid navigation by mariners LANA at the jetty of NNS BEECROFT as they navigated across the water. in Apapa, Lagos, by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Role of Nigerian Navy in Hy- The CNS, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo Command, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa drography and Hydrographer of the Navy, the Over the years, the Nigerian Navy provide hydrographic services that meets Hydrographic Office (NNHO) ramped Executive Officer, Commander Oladipo (NN), in line with her constitutional international standard. These efforts up its hydrographic capabilities with Giwa, reeled out the capabilities of the roles, has been building both human have paid off. several first-of-its-kind products to vessel to include navigation, communica- and material capabilities to enable her In recent times, Nigerian Navy support Nigeria’s Blue Economy project. tion, hydrography and engineering. THISDAY ˾  ͵, 2021 21 FEATURES

The executive officer NNS LANA briefing the FOC and Hydrographer of the Navy onboard The bridge of NNS LANA, the hydrographic survey vessel of the Nigerian Navy the vessel during the WHD

At the bridge, he showed the senior power both in the military and civil officers all four sections, as well as the spaces. dry and wet labs where samples are According to him, plans to ensure analysed. According to him, the ship the country's entire maritime space has capability to conduct hydrographic/ was charted commenced with the oceanographic operation/ research, acquisition of NNS LANA, a specialised patrol duties, search and rescue, diving hydrographic ship with capabilities to operation and helicopter operation just perform defence and security roles. to mention a few. "The plan to ensure the entire na- tion's water is charted started with the World Hydrography Day acquisition of this vessel (NNS LANA) Given the huge import of hydrography you are onboard now. The charts that to nations, a day- June 21, is mapped have been produced were done with out to commemorate it. This year, the smaller boats that can operate within World Hydrography Day was themed inland waters. "100 Years Of International Cooperation Those boats were used to acquire in Hydrography" and it was marked the data that was used to produced globally via virtual means. those charts. According to Wikipedia, in 1921, the "Because those boats cannot safely International Hydrographic Bureau came operate at offshore areas, this vessel into existence with the sole purpose of was acquired and before it arrived, the providing a safe mechanism for consulta- hydro office had developed national tion between governments on matters charting plan that shows how charts related to safe navigation, technical can be produced to cover Nigeria's standards and protection. In 1970, maritime space. the name International Hydrographic So, one after the other, those plans Organisation (IHO) was coined. One of the several charts produced by the hydrographic unit of the Nigerian Navy would be implanted using this vessel. However, in 2005, IHO came up with The plan is to out- phase that of the the idea of World Hydrography Day to wind farming, coastal zone manage- rently supporting safety of Navigation UK done over 100 years ago because celebrate the work of hydrographers. ment, blue economy, as well as offshore in Nigerian waters," he said. every nation is responsible for charting This idea was welcomed by the United exploration and exploitation of mineral Gambo posited that the recent ad- of its coastal and offshore waters. Nations General Assembly in resolution resources among others. These activities dition of the state of the art 60-meter "UK was doing it because it was like A/RES/60/30 Oceans and the law of require a great deal of both national Hydrographic Survey Vessel NNS a stop-gap measure. We didn't have the the sea. Therefore, the date 21 June was and international collaborations at LANA to the NN's inventory would capacity and now that we do, we will chosen in order to mark the anniversary various stages for maximum benefits improve hydrographic service delivery gradually take over from them. As a of the founding of the IHO. to be derived from". to mariners within Nigerian waters, matter of fact, we have started. If you adding that "already, discussions are check the International Chart Catalogue Import of Hydrography to Blue Global Co-operation ongoing with the Nippon Foundation/ now, ICENC, you will discover that Economy On why he considers this year’s GEBCO for Nigeria's participation in the Lagos Harbour Chart used to be Granted, the import of hydrography WHD, which, marked the 100 years of the Seabed 2030 Project. This is aimed from UK. to the actualisation of the blue economy international cooperation in Hydrography at facilitating Nigeria's fulfilment of "But because we have produced this cannot be understated. To mark the WHD as apt for Nigeria, the CNS said the the UN Sustainable Development Goal chart, it has replaced the UK's now. this year, the navy held a hybrid meeting dwindling economic fortunes of the (SDG) 14, which deals with sustain- There are plans to acquire more vessels. across the nation. In his virtual address, world elucidates a rethink towards able use of the oceans, sea and marine As I talk to you now, contract has been the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), economic diversification in Nigeria, resources". awarded for a 35-metre vessel that can Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, stressed using hydrography as a critical enabler. He further revealed that the Nigerian work side by side with NNS LANA. on the importance of hydrography to Noting that this calls for more Navy and Nigerian Export Import Bank I am sure with availability of funds, the actualisation of the nation's Blue purposeful international and national (NEXIM) were in partnership for the as that one is coming, more will be Economy Project. cooperation among all stakeholders in opening up of the nation’s inland acquired," he said. The CNS said hydrography would the field of hydrography, he stressed waters for improved maritime busi- On complaints by mariners that there equip the NN with faster survey and that "through international cooperation ness, through hydrographic survey and were no navigation aids along the Lagos chart coverage of Nigeria‘s waters in Hydrography with the UK, Nigeria charting, adding that "on the national channel, Okafor said that had been towards facilitating a more robust has been able to sustain all forms of scene, improved cooperation, in form addressed, adding that the Nigerian maritime activity for security and maritime activities that support over of data sharing and joint surveys, is Ports Authority (NPA) completed buoy economic growth of the nation. 96 percent of Nigeria's seaborne trade. envisaged between the Nigerian Navy, placements about two weeks ago and He said: "Through hydrography, "Further, international cooperation with Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian that the channel had both paper and Nigeria's inland waters, which con- India and the International Hydrographic Maritime Administration and Safety electronic charts which ships can request nect the Atlantic Ocean via over 25 Organisation (IHO) has helped Nigeria, Agency (NIMASA) among others. through the unit's website. river entrances can be opened for particularly its Navy to build human "This underscores the indispensabiity "The lectures we had from the transportation of goods and services capacity in Hydrography and develop of cooperation in hydrographic industry just concluded World Hydrography for export towards enhancing Nigeria's standards for hydrographic survey and for better and up-to-date hydrographic Day event clearly brought out that economy. Additionally, effective hydro- charting". service delivery to mariners, towards one entity alone cannot survey and graphic practice will ensure adequate He stated that these international safety of navigation and economic chart a nation's water. So as regards chart coverage of about 84,000 square cooperations and the Nigerian Navy's prosperity". Nigeria, you have the Nigerian Ports nautical miles of Nigeria’s territorial engagements, with other hydrographic Authority who maintains the harbour waters. This will ultimately provide industry's players in Nigeria enabled Hydrographic Upgrade for Nigeria and port approaches; Nigeria Inland up-to-date products to drive Nigeria’s the country produce its indigenous In an interview afterwards, the Hy- Waterways (NIWA) also handles the Blue Economy Project including support navigational charts and nautical drographer of the Navy, Rear Admiral inland waterways as well as NIMASA. for safe conduct of mariner's activities." publications in 2019. Okafor said efforts were also on by the "Efforts are ongoing to harness the Adding that hydrographic applications "This feat placed Nigeria on the navy to boost hydrographic development charting and surveying capabilities have increasingly shifted from safety international map of chart producing in the country through the upgrade of all of these agencies so that when of navigation for marine transport to nations. There are two paper charts and of NN Hydrographic School in order they survey, they process the data with other activities that facilitate sustainable three calls of Electronic Navigational to get accredited by the International Nigerian Navy Hydrographic office who use of the ocean for economic growth, Charts (ENCs) indigenously produced Hydrography Organisation (IHO) that will use same to produce a chart for he noted that they include "offshore by the Nigerian Navy, which are cur- will enable them build required man- the nation," he said. 22 WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY THISDAY ˾  ͵˜2021 23

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email [email protected] BUSINESSWORLD 08024557078   ͱ˜ͰͮͰͯ MONEY MARKET REPO S & P INDEX S & P INDEX EXCHANGE RATE OVERNIGHT 12.50 CALL 12.50 INDEX LEVEL ͳͱͱ˛ͯͱϱ 1/4 TO DATE ͮ˛ͮͱϱ Ͳͯͯ˛ʹ͵˹˹ͯ ̩ OBB 12 1-MONTH 14 1-DAY ͮ˛ͮͱϱ YEAR TO DATE ̋Ͱͮ˛Ͱͳϱ ̩   3-MONTH 14 MONTH-TO-DATE ͮ˛ͮͱϱ Quick Takes to Host of IATF 2021 The second Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021) has been rescheduled to take place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, from November 15th to 21, 2021. The Trade Fair was previously due to be held in Kigali, Rwanda in December, 2021. A statement explained that the decision to move the Trade Fair to Durban was made by the Advisory Council of IATF2021 at its 10th meeting held virtually in May 2021. This decision was arrived at after formal consultations with the Government of Rwanda, who indicated that logistical constraints related to the COVID-19 pandemic had adversely affected the progress of construction of a new facility to host the event. Commenting on the decision, IATF2021 Advisory Council Chairman and former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, commended the Government of Rwanda, Afreximbank, the AU, the AfCFTA Secretariat and all IATF stakeholders for showing great resilience in adapting to the uncertain environment arising from the COVID-19 pandemic situation. “We have once again been able to shoulder the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is affecting all sectors worldwide and forcing Governments, corporates and individuals to take unprecedented CSR-IN-ACTION measures to ensure public safety and keep economies running,” L-R: President/CEO, Utopian Consulting, Dr. John Adesioye; Director, Public Image, Rotary Club of Lagos, Femi Ojumu; Outgoing President, Dare Adeyeri; Incoming President, Ba- Obasanjo said. bawale Agbeyangi; , CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Limited/Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, and Director, Membership, Rotary Club of Lagos, Adetunji Lamidi, at the “Relocating IATF2021 to Durban saves us time on the calendar and installation ceremony of Adegbeyangi as the 61st President of Rotary Club of Lagos and induction of the 2021-22 Board/Dinner held in Lagos…recently will enable African countries and corporates, as part of their recovery strategy, to take full advantage of the Trade Fair, which is also an important component of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement under which trading commenced this year,” he added. He expressed optimism that, “a significant number of people would Oil Producers Seek End to Rising have been vaccinated by November and this will allow us to have a successful event.” FBNQuest Wins Award Cost of Doing Business, Others FBNQuest Merchant Bank said it emerged as winner of the Equity Deal of the Year category at the 2021 African Banker Awards. The award was in recognition of the key role the organisation played Stories by Emmanuel Addeh ECONOMY “For funding of projects, for to attract investment. as the adviser on the privatisation of Afam Power Plc and Afam Three in Abuja every technology advancement In his intervention, the MAN fast Power Limited for the Bureau of Public Enterprises on behalf of you want to embark upon, you representative, Dr. Timi Austen- the National Council on Privatisation. The Oil Producers Trade Section Mr. Mike Sangster, who is also will need some funding, so that’s Peters, who also doubles as the A statement explained that the feat affirmed the organisation’s strong (OPTS) a sub-group within the the Managing Director of Total another challenge that we need Chairman of Dorman Long En- performance. Lagos Chamber of Commerce Energies, noted that if sorted to overcome. Payment arrears gineering, listed foreign exchange The African Banker Awards has become one of the most respected and Industry (LCCI) and the out, Nigeria’s economic potential is a challenge in the oil and gas issues, adequate power supply and recognised industry events celebrating achievements in the Manufacturers Association of will be realised. industry technological gap. as well as access to funding as African banking industry. FBNQuest Merchant Bank said it acted as Nigeria (MAN) have decried In addition, Sangster who was “For commercial terms, don’t some of the problems facing the Financial Adviser & Consortium Lead on the privatisation of Afam the high cost of doing business represented by the Chairman, forget that it is investors that are manufacturers in the country. Power and Afam Three Fast Power transaction. in the country, including the Sub-committee on Nigerian coming to put their money here, “Forex is a problem, even in The transaction provided an opportunity to add to the organisation’s challenge of access to foreign Content Development of the so if they feel that the commercial our daily lives, not to talk of impressive portfolio and highlight its capabilities for the successful exchange. OPTS, Mr. Joseph Ofili, stated terms are not favourable they importing hundreds of thousands execution of sizeable transactions. OPTS is made up of both local that importing materials for will hold back their investment. of tons of steel to be able to Commenting on the award, the Group Executive/Head Investment and foreign-owned companies production remains a problem “Another one is high cost of produce something. The devel- Banking and Operations, Patrick Mgbenwelu, said: “FBNQuest remains registered in Nigeria who hold with the problem of accessing doing business. There is no point opmental role of government committed to consistently providing financial solutions that will enable an Oil Prospecting License (OPL) foreign exchange for large scale doing a beautiful technology in cannot be overstated. our clients to make a difference, and we are honored to be recognized or an Oil Mining Licence (OML) projects. China and bringing it back to “An enabling environment is by the African Banker, which is a reflection of the quality of support in the country. He stressed that there’s also Nigeria and you can’t use it very important to be able to we give our clients.” Speaking on the topic, “Tech- a huge gap in Africa in terms because you have not settled manufacture effectively. The issue nological Capacity Development of technology, noting that one the environment,” stated. of power, access to funding, IT, NDIC Reiterates Commitment to FICAN and Technology Transfer” on of the challenges to technology According to Sangster, while R&D are important. These are The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has assured that the first day of the Nigerian transfer is the infrastructure efforts to solve the problems are issues which face all of us. Some it will continue to support capacity building initiatives in the media Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference value chain which needs to ongoing, there is the need for industry, especially in areas covering bank failures and deposit insurance. in Abuja, Chairman of OPTS, be improved upon. conscious and concerted moves Continued on page 24 Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer NDIC, Mr. Hassan Bello, gave this assurance during a recent courtesy visit by the executives of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Abuja. Bello said the corporation launched its capacity building workshop for NEITI, Lawmakers Move to Strengthen finance correspondents and business editors in 2002, as a veritable means of building capacity in the media industry especially on the workings of deposit insurance system in Nigeria as well as other Extractive Industries Regulations topical issues in the Nigerian financial services sector. “Ever since the commencement of the capacity building program The House of Representatives with all amount of speed and “This is important given the the symbiotic relationship between NDIC and financial journalists has begun consultations with ECONOMY patriotism for the good of the enormity of its work, the nature has remained cordial,” he added. the Nigeria Extractive Indus- country,” Oseke stated. of the sector it operates in and the tries Transparency Initiative Members of the committee He added that the team was diverse nature of the country,” (NEITI) on ways to strengthen also requested NEITI to forward at NEITI to explore how it can he stated. the existing law setting up its law for amendment with a strengthen its support to NEITI He further explained that the the body, describing the view to widening the scope of in the discharge of its mandate. extractive industry accounts for “We must understand that true organisation as exemplary. its operations and powers. “We have been interacting with over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s economic diversification is a Deputy Chairman of the Oseke, while pledging to NEITI and we understand its foreign exchange earnings, hence very difficult goal to achieve for House Committee on Petroleum review the NEITI Act explained constraints with respect to the it is important for the National resource dependent countries Resources Upstream, Preye that the body has an existing Act funding of its activities. We want Assembly to work with NEITI to such as Nigeria. And yet, it Oseke, who spoke when he led that would require amendment to reaffirm our commitment to get the results and the objectives remains an imperative for our the members of the committee to expand the scope and enhance supporting NEITI in ensuring that that had been set for the agency. country to become a part of on monitoring and oversight the workings of the organisation. it performs its duty as envisaged Earlier in his welcome remarks, these elite clubs” visit to the NEITI secretariat in “So, it is not going to be one in its enabling law,” he said. the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Abuja, pledged to continue to bill that will come to parliament He emphasised the need to Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, noted that partner NEITI in ensuring that and lie there. We all want trans- expand NEITI’s funding sources the NEITI Act has clear provisions all government public finances parency in the extractive industry as well as its human resource Former CBN Deputy Governor, are managed transparently. and we will approach the review capacity. Continued on page 24 Kingsley Moghalu 24 THISDAY ˾  ͵˜2021 BUSINESSWORLD NEWS

OIL PRODUCERS SEEK END TO RISING COST OF NEPZA Partners Shippers’ Council to DOING BUSINESS, OTHERS Boost Non-oil Revenue of them are being addressed,” he said. value chains of the economy and you through multiple partner- and all your associates. the non-oil sector would help On the regulatory environ- James Emejo and Folalumi bridge economic infrastructural ships and collaborations to realise “Your appointment is no doubt to significantly scale-up federal ment, he noted that with the Alaran in Abuja deficit facing the nation’’. the lofty agenda of President a validation of your proven government’s deliverables for the passage of the Petroleum Jime, was at a time Managing Muhammadu Buhari on the records of national service as a citizens. Industry Bill (PIB), some degree The Managing Director/Chief Director of NEPZA and two-term non-oil sector of the economy. two-term lawmaker and an astute “Let me, again, on behalf of certainty will be restored to Executive, Nigeria Export member of the House of Repre- “It is with great excitement administrator having also served of the management, staff and the Nigerian business space. Processing Zones Author- sentatives representing Makurdi/ and pleasure to congratulate as the Managing Director/CEO the entire workforce of the Earlier in his industry address, ity (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Guma Federal Constituency of you on your appointment as of NEPZA, a position I currently Authority congratulate you for Deputy Managing Director, Adesugba, has expressed the Benue State between 2007 and the Executive Secretary of the occupy’’. a well-deserved appointment,” Deep Water, Total E & P Nig. organisation’s readiness to 2015. Nigerian Shippers Council by The NEPZA managing director, he said in a statement by Head, Limited, Mr. Victor Bandele, open multiple partnerships The NEPZA boss said: “I look President Muhammadu Buhari. therefore, said exploring variety Corporate Communications, stressed that the company’s with the Nigerian Shippers forward to working closely with This is a joyful occasion for us of partnership channels around NEPZA, Mr. Martins Odeh. upstream branch now plays a Council (NSC) to signifi- significant economic and social cantly scale-up the federal role in Nigeria, operating nearly government’s non-oil sector 15 per cent of the country’s deliverables to Nigerians. production. Speaking while congratu- “Nigeria, as one of our core lating the newly appointed areas of activities, is also crucial Executive-Secretary of the to the TotalEnergies Group, council, Mr. Emmanuel Jime, accounting for 12 per cent of Adesugba, described the its equity production. In the last former’s appointment as a few years alone, TotalEnergies testimony to his continuous has invested approximately $10 relevance as a patriot who billion in the country. still has a lot to contribute to national development. He added that, as the NEITI, LAWMAKERS head of the council, Jime has MOVE TO STRENGTHEN returned to manage another EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES REGULATIONS critical sub-sector of national economy whose importance on the roles of the legislature is now amplified due to the in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade global Extractive Industries Area (AfCFTA). Transparency Initiative (EITI). He said: “As your agency also Orji informed the committee regulates dry port operations that an in-house review of the in Nigeria, we have unique NEITI Act is currently ongoing, opportunities to collaborate CHANGE OF BATON noting that “Once we are able to and work together for the Pioneer Chairman, Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), Demola Adeyemi-Bero (left), and New Chairman, Governing Council, Abdulrazaq Isa; during establish the areas that require development of the various IPPG’s first leadership transition and hand-over event held at Ikoyi, Lagos… recently amendment, we shall approach the executive and subsequently the National Assembly for action” COVID-19: PenCom Floats Online Portal for Retirees’ Verification The NEITI boss while giving update on the Act stated that James Emejo and Folalumi the opening of the Pension Desk the verification of pensioners is Dahir-Umar, pointed that the developed online enrolment the National Assembly as a law Alaran in Abuja Officers (PDOs) workshop on the carried out in order not to affect ministries, departments and procedures for the verification making body, believes and shares online enrollment application in the validation and determination agencies of government will of the prospective retirees. NEITI’s vision that the current The Director -General/Chief Abuja, said, the innovation was of the accrued pension liabilities be required to upload the list She pointed out that it is NEITI Act was passed in 2007 Executive, National Pension necessitated by the COVID-19 of the would-be retirees for the of potential retirees who have not an established norm within when focus was on oil and gas, Commission (PenCom), Aisha pandemic which had limited government budgetary purposes. been enrolled before as well as PenCom to conduct physical but has since then moved to Dahir-Umar, said the commis- physical contact in order to She was represented at all employees who had retired annual retirement verification solid minerals and the law sion has developed an online contain the spread of the virus. the occasion by the PenCom but missed previous enrolment. and enrolment exercise on the needs to be strengthened to enrolment application with the She, however, expressed Commissioner, Technical, Mr. She added that the MDAs federal government employees cover these areas. capabilities to register, verify regrets over the inability of Anyim Nyerere. will among other things assist of the treasury funded MDAs “We are also moving to and enroll prospective federal the commission to conduct the She said the nouveau applica- retirees who cannot do online who are scheduled for retirement emerging issues including con- government retirees. physical annual pre-retirement tion, which would be hosted on registration on their own adding within the next fiscal year. tract transparency and beneficial She said the platform will enrolment exercise due to the the commission’s website, will that the roles of the PDOs in She added that the exercise was ownership to track illicit financial also provide guidance note to global impact of the pandemic. enable prospective retirees log on the online exercise was critical. aimed at validating and determin- flows, terrorism financing and help compute retirees’ retirement Nonetheless, the PenCom to register with their details on She added that the workshop ing the retirees’ accrued pension financial malfeasance through benefits. boss reiterated the desire of the Retiree Registration Module was particularly necessary to liabilities for budgetary allocation capital flight so our law needs to Dahir-Umar, while speaking at the commission to ensure that (RRM). expose the PDOs to the newly by the federal government. be strengthened in these areas. Babington-Ashaye Urges Insurers to Leverage Market Opportunities for Growth Ebere Nwoji Babington-Ashaye, made the fully meet its standards. According to her, in such information technology tools for call while speaking on “Emerging According to her, an emerging markets, insurers capitalise on back-end operations as well as A former President of the Markets and Opportunities in the market economy is considered to increased wealth in the middle for sales services to reach out Chartered Insurance Insti- Insurance Industry,” at the 2021 be progressing towards becoming class, a low rate of penetration of to the customers.

tute of Nigeria (CIIN) and Mid-year Workshop organised by a developed market. insurance products and services, Ashaye, called on the un- Managing Director, Risk the Lagos Area Committee of the She said emerging markets and even government support derwriters and brokers to take Analyst Insurance Brokers, Nigerian Council of Registered comprise of developing nations to introduce insurance products advantage of emerging markets Funmi Babington -Ashaye, has Insurance Brokers (NCRIB). which are becoming more en- to people in rural areas. opportunities by focusing on key charged insurance operators to Ashaye, who delivered her gaged with markets as they grow; She expressed optimism that drivers such as financial services, leverage on opportunities in presentation virtually defined transiting from low per capita the current growth momentum customer segmentation, consumer Group Business Editor Obinna Chima emerging markets to improve emerging market as a market income, but with insignificant is expected to continue as more needs, technology, business their fortunes and enhance the that has some characteristics of a industrial activities towards a distribution channels are being models, and transformational Capital Market Editor industry’s growth. developed market, but does not modern and industrial economy. explored with increased use of changes. Goddy Egene Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Musa Unveils 9-Point Agenda for Insurance Industry Nume Ekeghe Ebere Nwoji in government and other association to win support and its regulatory agencies. These member companies and larger Senior Correspondent stakeholders in the country respect of all stakeholders in include the National Insurance insurance industry to earn the ËÒÏÏ×ÕÓØÑÌÙÖß(Advertis- ing) The new Chairman of the to take the industry where Nigeria economy, particularly the Commission (NAICOM), respect the association deserves; Correspondents Nigerian Insurers Association it deserves. executive and legislative arms Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), work with all stakeholders to Chinedu Eze (Aviation) (NIA), Mr. Ganiyu Musa, Speaking at his investiture of governments, followed by Security and Exchange Com- address all restrictive laws on ÜÙ×ÙÝÏÖÏÌÓÙÎßØ(Maritime) has released his nine -point as the 24th Chairman of the working with all stakehold- mission (SEC) and National insurance practice; work with Ë×ÏÝ×ÏÔÙ(Finance) agenda targeted at lifting association in Lagos, he said ers to ensure passage of the Pension Commission (PenCom). its partners such as GIZ and the Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) the insurance sector during the association would work consolidated insurance bill and He further said he has Financial Inclusion Secretariat Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) his two-year tenure as the closely with other stakehold- working with his predecessors the intention to collaborate to ensure greater insurance chairman of the underwriters’ ers to maximise the benefits in office to move the association with other bodies in the trade awareness and penetration Reporters ÙÝËÖÏÕÒßÙÑÓÏ(ICT) umbrella body. derivable from insurance. to the next level.” industry to deepen insurance and work with NAICOM to Peter Uzoho (Energy) Musa, said he hopes to According to him, “His He also seeks to improve penetration in Nigeria; promote achieve seamless migration get the support of those first agenda is to refocus the relationship between NIA and ethical standards amongst NIA to IFRS 17. THISDAY ˾  ͵˜2021 25

      FMN Reaps Benefits of Innovation Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc combined products innovation, cost optimisation and backward integration to deliver improved results in the year ended March 31, 2021, despite headwinds in the economy, writes Goddy Egene perating business in the Nigerian environment was very tough in construction of a 15km all-weather heavy-duty 2020 following the spread of link road to the mill has already commenced. COVID-19 pandemic to Nigeria. “With this acquisition, total upland develop- Apart from the usual headwinds ment would exceed 10,000ha under cane, which Osuch as poor infrastructure, high cost of raw ma- would be mainly cultivated by smallholder terials, and the rising inflation, many companies farmers engaged by the company, to receive had to contend with the challenges brought by necessary support under the existing outgrower COVID-19 pandemic. scheme, to guarantee quality of output. Upland The economy witnessed a lockdown for cultivation significantly reduces the potential months, a development that affected the risk of flooding, which could wash away operations of companies. plantations of cane,” FMN said. Therefore, there were apprehensions among Olusanya, noted that FMN was committed stakeholders that considering the impact of to investing a minimum of N160 billion in the pandemic, companies would performance backward integration including the inauguration poorly and reward shareholders with lower of a new Sugar mill at Nasarawa. dividends. However, some companies have He said all countries in their own ways create shown resilience going by their interim results. avenues for sustainable local development of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (FMN), which goods and services that they have a certain financial year runs from April 2020, to March level of competitive advantage at producing 2021, is among the companies that have overcome locally. the headwinds to declare improved financial The GMD said: “We have invested more results and rewarding shareholders with high than N150 billion in backward integration over dividend. the past 10 years to support in particular, the Riding on the back of product innovation, core businesses that we are in, our backward agro-allied turnaround strategy, cost optimisation integration plan indicates that we are a strong and renewed focus on backward integration player in the agric sector, one of the key drivers programmes, FMN delivered growths in both for us is to help develop the local supply chain the top and bottom-lines. and reduce dependence on imports. The audited results for the year ended March “We see that as a strong element of business 31, 2021, showed an innovation-driven revenue growth for us, and our ability to continue to performance underlined by an accelerated four play significantly well in the sector, whether quarter growth against the same period of it’s in sugar, wheat, cassava or in palm-oil. preceding year. The performance also indicated FMN will continue to support the growth that the group achieved impressive top-line and development of local production and growth for the year, aided by gains from its manufacturing,” he said. agro-allied turnaround strategy. Assessing the results, analysts at Cordros A breakdown of the results showed that Securities, stated the strong performance was FMN posted a revenue of N771.6 billion for underpinned by the solid top-line growth (+34.5 the year, 34.5 per cent growth compared per cent) and a surge in investment income with N573.77 billion recorded the previous (+52.6 per cent). year. Net finance cost fell from N17.5 billion According to the analysts, revenue grew to N15 billion, resulting from better cost and by 34.5 per cent to N771.61 billion, driven by financial management strategy. Profit before substantial growth across the company’s food tax rose by 112 per cent to N37.19 billion (+33.5 per cent), agro-allied (+32.2 per cent) from N17.50 billion, while profit after tax and sugar (+27.7 per cent) business segments. (PAT) grew faster by 126 per cent to print at “Similarly, revenue from support services N25.72 billion compared with N11.38 billion surged by 136.9 per cent, – the highest in at the preceding year. least 10 years. Our channel checks revealed The efficiency of the company was reflected that the company’s impressive performance in the profit before tax (PBT) margin, which was underpinned by diverse and new product improved from 3.0 per cent to 4.8 per cent, offerings across five value chains – grains, oils while profit after tax (PAT) similarly rose from & fat, sweeteners, proteins and starches. The two per cent to 3.3 per cent. Olusanya solid topline growth was further supported by Based on the improved results, the board the new advertisement campaigns, restructur- has proposed a dividend of 165 kobo per share of affordable and high nutrition-based food mobilised considerable resources including ing of the agro-allied business segment and up from 140 kobo per share last year. products; an acceleration in B2C segments with a resilient global supply-chain to help the accelerated expansion in the B2C channel,” Commenting on the results, the Group the introduction of new product offerings such federal government manage the impact of they added. Managing Director, Mr. Omoboyede Olusanya as Auntie B Spaghetti Slim and Spaghetti, as the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation. Cordros Securities said gross margin increased said: “FMN emerges from the prevailing well as the introduction of new stock-keeping “These include: expanding Nigeria’s testing by 207bps to 13.8 per cent , as top-line growth COVID-19 environment as a stronger, more units (SKUs) in key categories, along with capacity with 60,000 COVID-19 test kits; sup- (+34.5 per cent) outpaced the increase in the resilient, flexible, and confident business as a investments in regional distribution. porting 10,000 Nigerian healthcare workers in cost of sales (+30.9 per cent). The slower growth result of the collective strategic actions made “The leadership vision and brand pillar is 15 states with $1.5 million medical supplies in sales cost reflects the company’s improved over our 60-year history. improving operational and capital efficiency. procurement. operational efficiencies amidst the challenging “I want to thank all our employees for their The group’s food product portfolio is good “Supporting vulnerable communities in business environment. Consequently, gross profit patience and hard work as we consistently for the nation and excellent for business; the 12 states with a N400 million food donation jumped by 62.3 per cent to N106.76 billion adapted to the year’s challenges and invested group’s increased its focus on local content in programme and contributing an additional N1 while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation significantly in our purpose of feeding the group-wide supply chains and investments in billion to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and amortization(EBITDA) advanced by 33.9 nation every day.” backward integration as part of its long term -led Nigerian private sector coalition against per cent to N74.54 billion in 2021.” FMN successfully issued N30 billion in strategy to contribute to economic growth,” COVID-19,” the company said. The company said FMN’s earnings were corporate notes with tenors of 5 and 7 years at the company said. FMN said it was also supporting local wheat further boosted by moderation in finance 5.50 per cent and 6.25 per cent, respectively, to FMN added that in one of the most chal- development with a strategic partnership with costs (-6.6 per cent) following a reduction in strategically replace costly short-term facilities. lenging years in recent history, the group Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN). interest on bank loans from N15.18 billion in Championing backward integration pro- activated a comprehensive response and The group has aggregated over 800 tons of 2020 to N9.89 billion in 2021FY. In addition, grammes also enabled the company to expand wheat across three states, and has provided we highlight that the N30.00 billion bond is- value delivery across all value chains, including 493 farmers with mechanized harvesting and sued by the company moderated additional strategic partnerships with smallholder farmers, threshing services. borrowings during the period. Accordingly, which drove an average revenue gain of 34 Equally, in line with the federal govern- net finance cost declined by 14.7 per cent, per cent across all business sectors. ment’s commitment to make Nigeria sugar further supported by a 52.6 per cent surge Also, the company said its food business also self-sufficient, FMN said that one of its a in investment income. recorded exponential organic growth, driven by subsidiaries, Golden Sugar Company, had “We like that the company maintained constant product innovation and transforma- expanded investments in backward integration broad-based improvements across all business tion in new markets, as well as operational We like that the to engage more sugarcane outgrowers at its units, reflecting positive results from product efficiency through route-to-market investments company maintained Sunti Sugar Estate. innovations, investments in its route to market in digitalisation and rapid expansion in the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate N64billion invest- strategy and operational efficiencies. Similarly, business to consumer (B2C) sectors. broad-based ment is the largest commitment under the the company completed the restructuring of its The leadership of the company has pledged to improvements across all Nigeria Sugar Masterplan Plan (NSMP) and agro-allied segment, which in our opinion, will maintain a consistent focus on strong discipline business units, reflecting also the first and only Greenfield initiative continue to support revenue growth. However, in operational and capital efficiency by increasing currently producing raw sugar in the country. we note that the reopening of land borders, weak local content in group-wide supply chains and positive results from According to the company, the new investment macroeconomic fundamentals, and elevated sustain its commitment to backward integration product innovations, in upland acquisition of 5,200ha in Sunti, brings operating cost remains a significant headwind programs across all value chains. the total acquired land area for cultivation to volume growth and profitability. From a According to the company, the year under investments in its route of sugarcane to 22,000ha and the expected market standpoint, we expect investors to react review marked a strategically improved mar- to market strategy and increase in production will subsequently drive positively to the company’s solid earnings,” ket/brand awareness of the Group’s range operational efficiencies the capacity expansion of the Sugar mill – Cordros Securities said. 26 THISDAY ˾  ͵˜2021

     Pessu: Nigeria Records 50% Post-harvest Losses Annually Dr. Patricia Pessu is the Executive Director of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, a research agency whose mandate is to enable better and more efficient agricultural storage facilities in order to curtail losses which farmers incur from improper handling and storage upon harvesting their produce. In this interview with Eromosele Abiodun, she speaks on a wide range of issues including efforts being made to popularise the various innovations being churned out by the institute. Excerpts: Would you say that Nigeria pays as much NAFDAC and will be introduced to the market attention to proper management of agricultural once that process is completed. harvests as it ought to? We are also working to secure more patents. The Nigeria is making progress managing agricultural place of intellectual property rights is to allow the harvests. However, we need to pay more attention institute to get maximum benefits for the intellectual to effective planning for more availability and access efforts of our scientists who are working tirelessly to finite food resources for the future. You may to come up with the innovations. recall the food crisis that ensued during the peak of the COVID 19 pandemic. Food security is core to Do you encourage farmers to copy the design every nation and it is not just about food availability, and mode of operation of your innovations? but inclusive of food safety and its access. At the Yes. We encourage this a lot. Our goal is to see Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), our interventions improve the livelihoods and we believe Nigeria needs to do more in postharvest generally enhance the quality of life of our people. management in order to ensure food security. All the innovations are for the ultimate benefit of the people. One criticism that Africans generally receive is that we have heavy supply of sunshine How are you able to get the farmers to throughout the year, but that we do very little replicate your designs accurately? Is there with this sunshine. Has your institute been any monitoring of these designs and their able to come up with any creative ways of operations? using solar energy in postharvest food storage What we do is to train artisans in various localities for instance? to accurately replicate our designs. For instance, we Solar energy is a cheap and accessible source of have trained quite a lot of fabricators on fabrication energy and NSPRI has many on-going research of smoking kilns, and many of our beneficiaries projects on optimal use of solar energy. The institute are making a living fabricating the smoking Kilns. has developed technologies that are powered with The same applies to our solar dryers and others. solar energy. The Solar Tent Dryer, the Parabolic Solar Dryer, the Mobile Tent Dryer, and the Hybrid dryer How would you rate the uptake of NSPRI’s all use solar energy to dry agricultural commodities. innovations across the country? Would you Our solar tray dryer is effective for drying fruits and say that uptake is as good as you expect? If vegetables at household level. The solar tent dryer Pessu not, what do you think needs to be done to is effective for drying high volume low value crops enhance uptake? such as paddy rice, and for drying small size low vegetables locally and internationally. To ease the propriate solutions to post-harvest problems work The uptake of NSPRI’s technologies can best be fat fish such as Whittlings which is like the popular difficulties of transporting fruits, NSPRI developed together to develop our innovations. Another thing described as a bittersweet scenario. Our improved Panla or Oporoko that is a delicacy in many parts of the stackable ventilated crates. Using these crates to we have done is to champion the establishment smoking kiln has been widely adopted across the this country. The parabolic solar dryer is suitable for transport fruits and vegetables minimises damage of the Federal College of Agricultural Produce country. We have constructed over 50 units for drying various crops with enhanced heat retention and losses. Effective cold chain technologies mostly Technology (FCAPT), where practitioners and individual fish farmers or processors. About 200 and shorter drying rates. All these dryers ensure that depend on stable power supply. We just developed students are trained on postharvest management units were bought by the Food and Agriculture dried products are free of contaminants, and toxins what we call the “self-chill solar cold room” for of crops. The college awards OND and HND. In Organisation (FAO), in 2005, while hundreds of units in food or crops which are usually associated with storage of fresh fruits and vegetables. This self-chill addition to the certificate programmes, our institute have been bought under the constituency projects improper drying. In other words, safety of the food cold room is powered by solar energy, thus making also organises series of training workshops for and special intervention projects. However, the same products is guaranteed. With the adoption of these it an attractive alternative to conventional cold stakeholders. cannot be said of some of our other technologies. dryers our people will no longer have to dry these chain facilities. A very interesting area in which Our solar dryers are now in different parts of the agricultural commodities by the roadside where we are currently working and making enormous Is there promise in having a set of agriculture country. Our 500-ton capacity inert atmosphere animals and dust contaminate the dried products. progress is in developing affordable solar-powered workers whose key focus is storage? Do you silo is in Landmark University Omu-Aran, Kwara refrigerated systems to help our people extend the think that this might be a feasible business State where they use it to store grains to feed their Talking about fruits and vegetables, rotten shelf life of fruits and vegetables. We want these for entrepreneurs to go into? poultry and livestock. But we continue to engage fruits are a very common sight at Mile 12 Market solar refrigerated systems to be very effective and Yes, we need to create more awareness of how commodity associations and other pressure groups in Lagos. But it is even worse in rural areas at the same time to be very affordable, because lucrative storage is for food security. The feasibility to invest in these technologies to empower their where huge quantities of fruits and vegetables even though clean energy is sustainable and has and viability of agri-preneurship is vast and the members. The more people understand the value get rotten or withered badly before they get lots of advantages, it comes at a cost. opportunities along the value addition chain are and cost savings, which these technologies translate to the market. In fact, in Nigeria, if a fruit is numerous. Actors along the value chain enjoy the to, the more they are inclined to adopt them. not in season, you cannot get it to buy. What Some analysts have said problems such as privilege of specialisation and diversification; they is NSPRI doing in this regard? inadequate storage facilities for harvests exist can decide to specialise on certain aspects of the How would you rate the support you get NSPRI has a reputation for its long-standing com- because the Nigerian agricultural sector is value addition chain. Some of such opportunities from local communities? mitment to capacity development of our citizens in not evolving as fast as it ought to; do you are bulking of durable commodities, drying of fish The support from local communities has improved, the area of proper harvesting, postharvest handling agree with this? and tomato processing, just to mention a few. over the years, but we still yearn for more of their and storage issues to ensure high food quality and To some extent, I would agree that there are participation. We foresee a time when farmers clearly safety. We have and continue to train farmers on disparities in terms of the number of persons involved Would you say that the innovations and understand that agricultural development is a col- proper harvesting techniques, which is a major in production compared with storage. However, interventions that you churn out are being lective effort to the extent that they are willing to concern in postharvest loss management of fruits it may be noted that the post-harvest link of the commercialised at the rate you expect and contribute in tangible terms towards the delivery and vegetables. Proper packaging and transporta- agricultural value chain requires specialized skills, is the private sector forthcoming with the of innovative technologies. tion are important in postharvest loss prevention which are not yet widespread in our country. In requisite support as readily as you expect? measures for fruits and vegetables. In this regard, the developed world, there are many people with The rate of commercialisation of our technologies Do you collaborate with universities; there NSPRI developed plastic crates for packing and special skills, and they have specialised transportation was initially slow but things are taking a new turn. is a view that often Nigerian scientists work transportation of fruits and vegetables. And to ensure systems to move agricultural produce from the farm We have not enjoyed much of private support in silos and as such are often not aware of availability of fruits and vegetables all year round, to the industry or markets. In other words, we do in the past, but we are now working with a collaboration opportunities with other scientists? NSPRI devised drying technologies to prolong the not only need people who are specially trained, we few companies. We have embarked on rigorous NSPRI encourages and welcomes collaborations; shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Post-harvest losses also need a more specialised agricultural ecosystem enlightenment through the media, and we hope we are working with the Agricultural Develop- in fruits and vegetables in Nigeria is about 50 percent that makes provision for different operational it will yield dividend soon. mental Programme, National Agricultural Research annually. This is a worrisome situation because fruits aspects such as specialised vehicles for conveying Institutes and universities to project the importance of and vegetables that are meant to complement other agricultural commodities to reduce post-harvest We understand that NSPRI has several patents postharvest management. Currently, we are partnering food items that we consume for a healthy life are losses. But it’s a developmental process. We will as well. If you are producing equipment for with Benue State university’s Centre for Food and wasting away. Unfortunately, preserving them fresh get there someday. Also, reviewing government the common man and you are not averse to Technology Research (BSU-CEFTER), which is World requires a lot of investment. Again, because electricity policy on food transportation will definitely salvage people copying your innovations, why then do Bank African Centre of Excellence in post-harvest supply could be a challenge, using refrigeration post-harvest losses in Nigeria you need to patent these innovations? food loss reduction. The collaboration is yielding may be difficult. One of the innovations that NSPRI Yes, we do have several patents. We have patents positive results on multiple fronts. We have provided has developed is the Evaporative Cooling systems So, are there any ways by which NSPRI for the Iced-fish box which is used for storing postharvest technologies for teaching, learning and (ECS), which can extend the shelf life of fruits and is helping to promote more agricultural freshly harvested fish. Our fish-smoking kilns, extension activities for CEFTER. Some of our senior vegetables for about two weeks. One salient point specialisation in the country? which can run on charcoal, gas or electricity and researchers are teaching special courses on postharvest about this technology is that it is very effective in NSPRI works on improving processing protocols dry fish uniformly, help to produce export-quality food loss reduction while several of our staff have the northern parts of the country where a lot of of agricultural commodities, developing innovations smoked fish. We also have patents on our Inert post graduate training in various fields. vegetables are produced and the weather is dry and technologies that are pointers to hygienic products Atmosphere silos, which are used for storing large especially during harmattan. Another option of and offers advisory services to value chain actors. quantities of grains over long periods. We have a How much support do you receive from preserving the fruit and vegetables is by drying. NSPRI engages in public enlightenment campaigns patent on NISPRIDUST as well. NSPRIDUST is a international agencies? The dried products are used for making juice or and advocacy to ensure specialisation along the non-chemical pesticide or what you would call a We are enjoying the support of international agencies even eaten as snacks. The dried fruits contain same value addition chain among other activities that bio-pesticide. Bio-pesticides are generally much safer on specific areas of research in my institute. In the nutrients as the fresh ones. Vegetables can also be ensure post-harvest management. In our institute, than chemical pesticides. NISPRIDUST contains an past seven years, we initiated collaborations with, dried using any of our solar drying technologies. We what we do is interdisciplinary research. By this, active ingredient known as diatomaceous earth. It USAID, ICRISAT, VESTERGAARD and Oklahoma have a few clients who are selling dried fruits and all the disciplines that are required to provide ap- is currently in the final stages of registration with State University (OSU) to mention a few. WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY 27 28 THISDAY ˾  ͵˜2021

BUSINESSWORLD ANALYSIS Expanding Financial Inclusion CBN: Propelling Agribusiness through Non-interest Banking Ummi Kabir ecently, the National President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) announced that Nigeria’s nine million metric tonnes of rice a year has made her self - sufficient in Rthe product and will soon place her in a position to begin to export the product. This means that Nigeria is now the highest producer of rice in Africa. Not too long ago, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), through its Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), unveiled rice pyramids in Kebbi, Gombe and Ekiti states. Apart from rice, Nigeria has also witnessed Emefiele the unveiling of the first maize pyramid in the country by the Maize Association of Nigeria supportive of the cotton industry. According to (MAAN). All these are part of the drive to him, “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has so make the country self-sufficient in basic staples far invested over N120 billion across the cotton, and guarantee food security. textile and garment (CTG) value chain since its Mrs Hajara Adeola - Chairperson Lotus Bank Mrs Kafilat Adeoye -MD Lotus Bank These are all results of a CBN policy that intervention programme in the industry began. placed a restriction on importation of certain Over 320,000 farmers had been financed between Hamid Ayodeji and non-speculative business. goods and products, especially those the country 2018 to date. “Lotus Bank is the first non-interest bank to can produce on its own. “I must tell you that this special focus on the Non-interest banking is increasingly attracting commence operations from South-west, Nigeria As at 2014 Nigeria was spending about industry by the CBN is a direct result of the attention among investors globally, especially in with a focus to serve people of all faith,” the N1.3 trillion worth of foreign exchange on restriction of forex for the importers of textile 2019 which saw a double-digit growth in assets. financial institution added. the importation of rice, fish, wheat and sugar. products. I support anything that will assist the According to a report by bnymellon.com, despite Lotus Bank is deeply rooted in ethical banking The Central Bank of Nigeria in June 2015 textile sector to grow. As a country, we must putall the tumultuous year for global financial markets and committed to ethical investing and ethical issued a policy banning importers of 41 items hands on deck to ensure a vibrant textile industry. last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is prosperity. The financial institution is committed from accessing foreign exchange at the Nigerian “The truth of it is that if I have access to forex growing interest on this form on banking instru- to deepening financial inclusion and broadening foreign exchange markets in order to encourage to bring in mostly second hand clothing, I don’t ment due to three reasons—greater appreciation the array of non-interest products available to the local production of these items. Subsequently, see how that will help our local textile industry. around the role that it plays in responsible investing; banked, unbanked, and under-banked population. with the addition of fertilizer and textile products, The policy by the CBN is a welcome action. geographical interest in markets where it is gaining The bank’s values are bold, ethical, and birth the list grew to 43. It also speaks to the seriousness of the federal prominence; as well as digital transformation, which new ideas. They are a testament to its desire This action by CBN was taken in its efforts government’s commitment to revive the textile makes it investments more accessible. to deliver a differentiated customer experience to sustain foreign exchange market stability industry in Nigeria,” he explained. A Growing Industry, Attracting New Interest that supports Nigerian businesses and supplies and ensure the efficient utilisation of foreign Former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Globally shareholder value. exchange as well as ensuring that optimum Council, Bar. Hassan Bello, said the policy has In 2019, non-interest banking assets amounted Prior to founding Lotus Capital, Hajara Adeola benefit is derived from goods and services been a huge success. to US$2.88 trillion, the highest recorded growth previously worked with Arthur Anderson Consulting imported into the country. It was also intended to “We can’t continue to be an import dependent for the industry since the global financial crisis. (now Accenture). She also was a Director at UBS significantly grow the local economy particularly economy. While containers come here laden, The prospects look positive: by 2024, this is set Warburg, heading their London Islamic Finance in the agriculture sector. they leave here empty and this affects even the to rise to US$3.69 trillion. Desk. Before joining UBS, she was a convertible The CBN Governor, Godwin Emiefele, while transportation cost. The policy of the CBN has But there remains significant opportunities bond research analyst at BNP Paribas, London, defending the policy said, “Nigeria does not provided a rise in non-oil export for the first elsewhere in the world, according to the report. where her primary responsibility was to analyse, need to keep importing things she can produce. time. It is a testimony of the diversification of That is why in Nigeria, financial institutions write, and publish daily and quarterly research on With dwindling income from oil, it was time the economy and the confidence we have in our have also been positioning themselves to tap from European convertible bonds. She also at a point the country took drastic steps to diversify the own economy,” he said. these huge market. was with ARM Investment Managers. economy by supporting local production.” “Forex restriction on textile and others is not One of such is Lotus Bank Limited. Hajara is regarded as the top industry expert Ever since, there has been a significant increase protectionism. It gives equal opportunities with The financial institution was recently granted in Islamic fund management in Nigeria. in the production of agricultural crops like rice, our producers here as most of our textiles for non-interest banking licence by the Central Bank She holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from wheat, maize, millet, yam and many more as instance, are smuggled into Nigeria. We had of Nigeria (CBN). Durham University, where she specialized in Islamic well as the growth of value chain actors in the about 15 textile industries employing hundreds Lotus Bank seeks to pursue the mission of Finance. She also holds an MBA in International areas of processing, packaging, marketing and and thousands of workers. It’s just like steel in creating value and growth for all through digital Management from Exeter University and a Bachelor transportation. Pittsburg or automobile companies in America. innovation and best-in-class customer experience of Science Degree in Pharmacology from King’s When the CBN announced the policy, many Because of the American policies of looking for Nigerians. College, London. Nigerians, especially manufacturers cried foul. inwards, there are a lot of restrictions of steel Founded & Chaired by Mrs. Hajara Adeola, who She is a Fellow of the Africa Leadership Initiative- They described the policy as a ploy to kill local into America,” Bello said. is also the Managing Director of Lotus Capital (the West Africa and a member of the Aspen Global industries which at the time depended heavily Speaking on the impact of the forex restrictions pioneers of non-interest finance in Nigeria), the Leadership Network. on imported raw materials for their production. on oil palm, President of the Plantation Owners bank is starting its operations on a solid foundation Also, Kafilat has expertise in virtually all areas of Even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Forum of Nigeria (POFON), Mr Emmanuel Ibru, of experienced leadership and a strong Advisory core banking, with emphasis on International and opposed it saying it was making it difficult for admitted that in the long run, and if all oil palm Council of Experts (ACE). Domestic Operations, Payments, General Manage- foreign capital inflow into the country. imports are routed through the ports with all Lotus Bank is managed by a team of seasoned ment, Business Development, Risk Management, Six years down the line, Nigeria is already duties accurately paid, the price of imported crude professionals and financial experts led by the Human Resources and Strategy. experiencing the positive impacts of that palm oil should be at per with that of locally Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Kafilat Araoye who Non-interest banking assets have been grown restriction. processed one. has over 25 years commercial banking experience. faster than conventional banking assets, according Giving some data, the CBN governor, said, “And, if the policy survives the onslaught of According to the Managing Director, Lotus to reports, adding that there has been an increased “Noticeable declines have been recorded in CBN’s pressures,”he added, the long-term implication Bank’s focus and guiding principle is, “to deliver interest in Islamic finance from countries such as monthly food import bill which declined from could be aggressive investments in the agro-allied an alternative option to interest-based banking and the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, South Africa $665.4 million in January 2015 to $160.4 million sector, economic growth and development and to cater to the needs of not just the banked but and Hong Kong. as at October 2018; a cumulative fall of 75.9 eventual food security and prosperity through also the under-banked and unbanked population.” To underscore its importance, the Central Bank of percent and an implied savings of over $21 improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP.” She explained that non-Interest banking is geared Nigeria recently introduced non-interest guidelines billion on food imports alone over that period.” Managing Director of Agropark, an agro process- towards supporting the real sector, adding that meant to provide facilities without interests to He said “a lot of progress has been made, but ing firm, Shola Olunowo, explained that in response Lotus Bank aims to improve financial inclusion boost critical sectors like Agriculture, MSMEs, at the same time more needs to be done in order to the agro-economic policies, demand for locally in the country. and Information Communication Technology to ensure that we build an inclusive economy processed chickens had improved drastically. He “In addition, the bank will operate transparent (ICT) and so on. that supports domestic production of goods said affordable financial schemes for poultry farmers pricing models as is the norm in non-interest banking. The CBN said the initiative was for non-interest and services, while offering job opportunities would enable them to scale up production, employ “Our values are deeply rooted in partnership. A financial institutions under its Agri-Business, Small to teeming Nigerians.” more farm hands and meet up with demand to critical component of our mission is the provision and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) avoid demand-induced inflation. of innovative solutions that drive ethical prosperity (AGSMEIS), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises which was created by the CBN to create a He explained that prevention of poultry smug- for all stakeholders. Development Fund (MSMEDF), and Accelerated linkage between anchor companies involved gling is one of the best policies to stimulate local “We pride ourselves on digital solutions that Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS). in the processing and small holder farmers production so far, and that sustaining such a policy provide our customers with the convenience of According to the guidelines by the apex bank, (SHFs) of the required key agricultural com- is desirable if the government actually wants the unlimited access to our services and products,” the framework will integrate non-interest windows modities, has created many value chain actors economy developed through agriculture. she added. in all its intervention programmes aimed at sup- and wealth for the average small holder farmer. President of All Framers Association of Nigeria Araoye further stated that, “Our products and porting businesses and households that have been At harvest, the SHF supplies his/her produce (AFAN), Arc Kabir Ibrahim and that of the Manu- service offerings will include non-interest business impacted negatively by the coronavirus. to the Agro-processor (Anchor) who pays the facturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mansur financing, deposit products (current, savings and It said under the Agri-Business, Small and cash equivalent to the farmer’s account. Ahmed have also backed the policies, but with a investment accounts) and personal financing. Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) Mr Emiefele said that the programme had caution to the government to put in place necessary “The bank aims to be a socially responsible for Non-Interest Financial Institutions (NIFIs), created economic linkages between smallholder infrastructure, especially power generation and organisation that will satisfy its customers across there will be creation of a Fund to be known as farmers and reputable large-scale crop processors, availability, and other enabling environments to all touch-points.” ‘AGSMEIS Non-Interest Fund’ to be domiciled with a view to increasing agricultural output avoid counter-productive consequences. What this With its flagship branch located at Victoria Island, in a dedicated account with the CBN. and capacity utilisation of integrated mills. entails is that with discipline and sustainable policy Lagos, the bank will open its doors to customers The guidelines stipulated that each Non-Interest Commenting specifically on the restriction the policy of food security will be achieved and from July 7, 2021. Deposit Bank full-fledged or window is to set of forex on textile imports, National President, enough reserved for export. Non-interest banking is recommended to all aside five per cent of its profit after tax annually Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), Mr. Nigerians who desire to be involved in ethical as contribution to the Fund. Anibe Achimugu, said the CBN has been very t,BCJSXSPUFJOGSPN"CVKB THISDAY ˾  ͵˜2021 29

BUSINESSWORLD ANALYSIS Supporting Economic Recovery through SMEs’ Lending Nume Ekeghe writes on efforts by the United Bank for Africa Plc to support operators of small and medium sized enterprises in order to boost recovery from the COVID-19 disruptions

Kennedy Uzoka Elumelu

mall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) bankability of requests is a major factor in credit in at 22.4 per cent and 44.3 per cent, well above physical assets ranging from household appliances to have remained the backbone of economies all over the world and continue to repre- creation. Of course, banks will usually observe the respective regulatory minimum of 15 per cent alternative power solutions and devices by our retail sent a large percentage of businesses who the canons of lending when granting credits. and 30 per cent.” customers through approved partnering vendors, contribute immensely to catalysing growth. If the economic environment is conducive and Speaking on the bank’s strategy, he said, “Our giving them the convenience to pay over a period. SBank lending is the most common source of prospect is bright, the confidence to grant credit primary strategy will continue to focus on providing Customers must be employees of bank’s approved external finance for many SMEs and entrepreneurs, to borrowers will be high because repayment is excellent services from our customers’ standpoint, counterparties. which are often heavily reliant on traditional debt guaranteed,” he said. putting the customer first always. Looking ahead, The bank listed the required documents as letter to fulfil their start-up, cash flow and investment needs. According to him, the volume of credit granted I am inspired by the achievements we have made of introduction and awareness from employer, copy While it is commonly used by small businesses, in Q1, 2021 by banks rose because of increase in since the launch of our transformation programme. of customer’s staff ID, copy of a customer’s valid however, traditional bank finance poses challenges economic activities. “We have expanded market share considerably ID, proforma invoice in UBA/customer’s name to SMEs, in particular to newer, innovative and “Fund users demanded more credit during the across the geographies where we operate and are and duly filled loan application form as well as fast growing companies, with a higher risk-return period to ramp up their products and services to consolidating our digital banking leadership in accepted offer letter. profile. cover increased consumer pull. The demand on Africa. We will continue to leverage our diversified Mortgage UBA Mortgage Loan is a product Almost every business with innovative ideas that later blossomed into thriving organisations/ banks for credit also resulted in increased borrowing business model and dedicated workforce to further designed to part-finance the acquisition of residential conglomerates were aided or supported by financial by banks from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) strengthen our position as ‘Africa’s Global Bank’.” real estate by salary earners whose employers are institutions who saw the viability of their innovation during the period. Also on the performance, the Group Chief Financial listed on the bank’s approved counterparty list. and wasted no time in helping them actualise that “The supply gap in the economy is still huge Official, Ugo Nwaghodoh said, “The persistent low “The product is targeted at High Net Worth dream or success. and this will increase demand for bank credit. As interest rate environment in 2020 exerted significant Individuals (HNIs) with predictable and sustainable Most especially in a time of crisis exacerbated a result, banks like UBA is poised to create more downward pressure on margins. Notwithstanding, income. The product is to enable customers buy by the COVID 19 pandemic, when economies credit this year to meet the rising Gross Domestic our interest income for the year grew by 5.7 per fully developed properties or draw equity from all over the world were shut down with jolted by the crisis businesses across the world needed Product (GDP) growth rate revised from 1.5 per cent (to N427.9 billion), driven by 8.2 per cent and their home as loans for specific purposes,” the significant credit support like a fish craves oxygen cent to 2.7 per cent,” he added. 7.5 per cent year-on-year growth on interest income bank said. and most understandably became distressed in Speaking on the bank’s recent loan position and on loans and investment securities respectively. The UBA Personal Loan – Direct is a variant the absence of it. consequent determination to buoy the nation’s SME “Our interest expense declined by eight per cent of UBA Personal Loan product targeted at civil Nigeria was no exception as the economy slipped sector, Group Managing Director, Kennedy Uzoka (to N168.4billion) driven largely by a 34.2 per cent servants whose salaries are not domiciled with UBA. into recession for the second time in four years as said, “Our passion for Small Businesses and great decline in interest expense on customer deposits The product is designed to offer personal loans oil prices plunged in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. ideas has never been in doubt and is evident in in our Nigerian operations, bringing down the to civil servants who have difficulties in changing While bank financing will continue to be crucial for the firm support given the business community Group’s cost of funds to 2.9 per cent, from four their salary accounts from other banks to UBA. the SME sector, there is a broad concern that credit as our loan products are tailored specifically to per cent in 2019. This loan is available to Federal civil servants that constraints will simply become “the new normal” meeting the varying needs of all our customers. While giving an insight to the bank’s array are enrolled on IPPIS platform, state civil servants for SMEs and entrepreneurs. It is therefore neces- Continuing, Uzoka said, “Despite the tumultuous of loan products changing the dynamics in the (this will be limited to states whose salaries are sary to broaden the range of financing instruments impact of Covid-19 pandemic globally and across industry, Group Head Consumer Lending, Anant managed by ICT firm). The required documents available to SMEs and entrepreneurs, to enable them, continue to play their role in investment, our 23 countries of operation, we created N519.0 Rao recently spoke about some of the products include duly filled loan application form, a copy growth, innovation and employment. billion additional loans as we continued to support and intrinsic benefits to customers as he said Click of customer’s staff ID, a copy of customer’s valid During the turbulent economic situation where our customers and their businesses. Credit is one of the bank’s vibrant facility, which ID and customer’s instruction letter. businesses suffered under the weight of COVID, “Customer deposits grew 48.1 per cent to N5.7 seamlessly supports customers. The UBA FX Cash Backed Loan is a term loan insecurity and other economic challenges, a few trillion, driven primarily by additional N1.8 trillion “It is an automated loan with no form of docu- designed for Nigerians that operate FX accounts banks were upstanding and served as adequate life in retail deposits. As a global bank, we remain well mentation, paperwork or queue. Customers can with the bank. Customers can get up to N10 million -line to businesses helping the economy surmount its numerous economic challenges. One of the capitalised and determined to successfully drive get up to N1 million instantly and pay through a for investment or to meet the financial needs of banks worthy of mention was United Bank for financial inclusion on the continent through our period of 12 months. This loan product of UBA is relatives in Nigeria. Africa (UBA), which was innovative enough to innovative products and vast network. known for speed, efficiency and competitive rate. Also, the UBA Working Capital loan offers up to help weather the storm with several loan facilities “Our capital adequacy and liquidity ratios came This product is available to all salaried customers. N50million to help business owners meet their cash that practically helped change the narrative and Customers can apply by dialling *919*28#, sending flow needs and expand their business. A flexible eventually catalyse growth. “Loan” to Leo and clicking on the “Click Credit” collateral cover will be required depending on the Eight banks gave out loans and advances worth feature on the mobile app or Internet banking. loan amount and the nature of customer’s business. N760 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021 in a Our primary strategy bid to stimulate economic growth constrained by Anant further explained that no document was This loan product is targeted at customers numerous headwinds, according to data compiled will continue to required to access the loans. There is also the UBA with verifiable credit net worth whose cash flow by THISDAY. Structured Loans, Personal Loans, Auto Loans, patterns meet the requirement for lending and The banks are: United Bank for Africa (UBA) focus on providing Asset Finance Mortgage. other structured groups/business clusters Plc Access Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, FCMB excellent services As for Personal Loans, Anant said: “It is a There are also the UBA Asset Finance for SMEs, Holdings Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC product designed to aid the finance of the daily the UBA School Loans and the UBA Health Loan. Holdings Plc, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, from our customers’ Wema Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc. needs of our customers. Available to employees of “It is a medium-to-long term facility aimed at UBA lent to its customers, a total of N178 billion, standpoint, putting enlisted counter-parties whose salaries and other meeting working capital, asset and mortgage needs in the three months under review to put its loan the customer first emoluments are being paid through UBA or are of registered privately-owned schools. The bouquet portfolio to customers at N2.733 trillion, from willing to transfer their accounts to UBA. comprises a four-month time loan, a three-year N2.555 trillion. always. Looking ahead, “Here, required documents include letter of asset finance loan and a 10-year mortgage loan. Commenting on the credit to customers by I am inspired by the introduction and awareness from employer, copy “The UBA Health Loan is designed to provide banks, a financial expert and securities dealer, Mr. David Adonri of Highcap Securities Limited, said achievements we have of customer’s staff ID, copy of customer’s Valid financing to registered hospitals, pharmacies, short-term credit was required by businesses to ID, duly accepted offer letter and duly filled loan medical laboratories, diagnostic centres, optical finance their working capital. made since the launch application form.’’ and dental clinics for their business expansion/ “Banks are the source of this type of finance. of our transformation He explained that Asset Finance, one of its upgrade, equipment purchase as well and support As a result of risk management considerations, products, was designed to facilitate the purchase of their cash flow needs,” the bank said. programme 30 WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY THISDAY ˾  ͵˜2021 31

BUSINESSWORLD PERSPECTIVE Going Home to Akwa Ibom

Emmanuel

Linus Etim programme. The expanse of land on which the project sits is far bigger than the picture I had in hadn’t been to Akwa Ibom, my home state, in mind based on what I saw in photographs and about four years. My knowledge of what hap- television screens. This is where vegetables which pened in the state during that period, from cultivation the soil of the state was hitherto believed socio-economic and political perspectives, not to be suitable are being grown – tomatoes, was based on secondary sources – individuals cucumber, lettuce, onions, etc. Iand the media. I had no way of knowing what The road project I saw on the Uyo-Oron was the truth, half-truth or outright falsehood. Road, the expansive roundabout from where An opportunity to obtain first-hand knowledge Udo Udoma Avenue begins, made me to of Akwa Ibom came through an emergency, understand that infrastructure development is whistle-stop, three-day visit that had me traverse still work in progress, despite the rate at which virtually the length and breadth of the state, the Uyo landscape has changed. This impression early June. I looked forward to the trip with would be re-inforced by what I saw on the trip excitement. I was going to see, with my ‘naked to Onna Local Government Area, going through eyes’, the stories I’d heard about what the Udom the Etinan-Onna Road that is under construction, administration is doing in the state. where a well-lit dual carriageway has replaced The choice of airline for the trip couldn’t have the old, one-lane road that was built in the 1970s. been any other. My state owns an airline. A I needed intermittent explanation by my host combination of curiosity and patriotism com- to know where I was at any point, despite the pelled the use of Ibom Air. The government had fact that it was a route I used frequently up to established the airline about two years earlier – on about two decades ago. June 29, 2019. And within the period, I had Akwa Ibom is a very peaceful state, a departure heard of, and read about the soaring success of from what it was about five or six years ago. the first state government-owned airline on the The kidnappings that are regular occurrences African continent – a company that started with in many parts of the country are remembered two aircraft operating on two routes, namely, in the state as something that occurred in the Uyo-Lagos and Uyo-Abuja, growing to seven past. The pockets of armed robbery and bag- aircraft servicing two additional routes – Uyo- snatching cases that occur in Uyo, the capital, Calabar and Uyo-Enugu. only serve to drive home the fact that crime is The Ibibio translation of the announcement a concomitant effect of development, as is the welcoming passengers as they settled into the case all over the world. cozy seats of the sleek Bombardier CRJ900 Night life thrives in Uyo – proof of the peace aircraft flying to the Victor Attah International and security that reigns in the capital. On the night Airport in Uyo brought home to me the fact of Thursday, June 10, when popular televangelist, that I was, indeed, going home. I started to feel Paul Enenche, was in town for a crusade at Ibom at home even before the aircraft took off from Hall, the crowd that thronged the IBB Avenue Lagos. Quite a thrilling experience! The airline as late as 10 p. m., literally making vehicular did not disappoint me in terms of services and movement impossible, did not belie any fear professionalism. It lived up to its billing. of insecurity. Leaving the Victor Attah International Airport One industry that is fast emerging as a for the drive into Uyo town, my antenna was dominant player in the economy of Akwa Ibom activated to detect any image or sign of develop- is hospitality. My enquiry revealed that hotels ment that wasn’t there during my last visit to are being established at a rapid pace. This is the state in 2017. I noticed that expansion work because at any point in time, there are people is being undertaken on the dual carriage road. from different parts of the country in need of At first glance, one was tempted to question the hotel services while in Uyo for one purpose or the wisdom in expanding a road that is virtually other – business, conference, seminar, wedding, bare of traffic, leading to and from an airport etc. There is an expectation of more visitors to that has yet to operate optimally. But a deeper the state in the coming years, especially with scrutiny revealed that Governor Emmanuel may the transformation the state is undergoing, from be seeing what others are not seeing. a civil service to an industrialized state. With the planned commencement of interna- I cannot end this piece without mention of the tional operations at the airport in 2022, which Uyo Central Business District, where the iconic, would see Ibom Air flying to different destinations 21-story Dakkada Towers stands. The structure in Western and Central African countries, that is a sight to behold. I was told the building has road would accommodate more traffic than it been commissioned and is awaiting high profile currently does. The rate of appreciation of real tenants from the oil and gas industry who have estate on the route would be rapid. Already, several indicated interest to occupy it. structures, many of which attract commercial The last time I visited the Ibom Tropicana benefits, have sprung up on the route. There is a Complex, it cut the picture of an abandoned, secondary school, a polytechnic and many other decrepit structure. Now remodeled into a huge structures. The government may also be trying shopping arcade, a visitor who has been to Paris, to avoid having to tangle with communities on London or New York would be forgiven if he the route over issues of compensation if the need thought he was in one of those places. arises in the future for expansion at a time it As the old saying goes, seeing is believing. I may not have the resources. The structure that went to Akwa Ibom to see. I believe everything caught my attention, as far as development is I saw there. concerned, is the greenhouse project, which is an integral part of the government’s agricultural rEtim lives in Lagos. 32 WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY 33 34 THISDAY ˾  ͵, 2021 EDUCATION Repositioning Edo Education through Improving Standard With the inauguration of Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation 2.0, as the initiative recently clocked three years, the state government explained why it is poised to take the sector to another level so as to enhance quality and learning. Funmi Ogundare reports he Edo State Government recently commemorated the third year of introduc- ing the Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo BEST)T initiative, designed to increase learning gains and create an enabling environment for pupils’ development especially at the basic education level. To ensure that the system works, the state government had already introduced the five pillars of system strengthening and organisational development, teacher professional development and quality assurance, curriculum development and learning outcomes, community engagement and partnerships, as well as school infrastructure and facilities. All of these have already been set in motion against the backdrop of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s strong belief that basic education is the foundation of education. Speaking during the inauguration of Edo BEST 2.0 held at the Government House, Benin City, the governor, who also used the opportunity to expand Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki (middle), with the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe; the Edo BEST programme to capture the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; Governor’s wife, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; and the Deputy Governor’s wife, Mrs. Maryann Philip secondary schools and tertiary institu- Shaibu with pupils during the inauguration of Edo BEST 2.0 in Benin City... recently tions in the state, said this became necessary to ensure that secondary her team. to achieve 100 per cent and perfection. be able to compete worldwide. schools and tertiary institutions in “You have helped us build these “We also recorded 17 per cent increase “I see them being top in all areas the state benefit from the gains in children to primary six level, now, in the enrollment into public schools of educational system and being the digital teaching recorded in primary what is next? So, today we are going in Edo State, which has amounted to best. There is nothing like truancy schools through the initiative, which to unveil the Edo BEST 2.0, as a way 21,000 pupils coming into the system in our system as far as Edo BEST is was inaugurated in 2018. to ensure that the gains of learning at from the private schools. Our successes concerned, they learn with ease and According to him, “as far as we the basic education level is sustained so far is a motivation for us to continue teachers don’t struggle to teach the are concerned in the state, the Edo after the first six years.” to work hard.” pupils. The learning outcomes has BEST programme is one of our greatest Obaseki highlighted the progress Oviawe said despite the global been amazing.” achievements. We are very happy that made so far, saying, “Edo BEST is shutdown as a result of COVID-19 On her class schedule for the day, Edo BEST has gained global and local work in progress, we are not where pandemic, the teachers were able to Ezehiwele said, “we normally have recognition. We want to replicate the we want to be yet, but we need to create over 7,000 virtual classrooms teachers computer on a daily basis. successes and achievements that we accelerate. Our kids are now learn- to enable pupils continue with their I preview my lessons so that if there have made in EdoBEST to EdoBEST 2.0, ing better; their level is about 70 per learning, as contents were uploaded is any issue in the course of teaching which is meant to capture our secondary cent of their colleagues in Europe on its website to ensure continuity. the next day, I could easily trash it schools and higher institutions in our and Asia. They are far from where Earlier, in her welcome address, a out, and in the morning the lessons dear state. As a government, we have their colleagues in Nigeria are; that’s pupil of Iguodala Primary School, are made easy. I do morning prep and decided to focus on the foundation not the standard. We want to be at Stephanie Osewengie, commended ensure that the board is set for the and improve the quality of education 100 per cent. We want to extend this Governor Obaseki for improving the day. I get to school as early as 6.30 at the basic level, so that the children education transformation throughout standard of education in Edo State, am everyday and at the end of each can be connected to the world and be the educational chain; basic education especially the basic level. lesson, I save and exit to have a good able to read and write at an early age. system, middle school, technical colleges She said, “Edo BEST has brought out lesson completion. I take up to nine We are going to track the performance and tertiary institutions. the best in Edo children, putting them lessons. We have independent lessons of teachers, inspectors and quality Asked how he is able to cope with in the best position to compete with and I mark their homework.” assurance officers.” the enormous challenges especially other children from well developed Ezehiwele said the Edo BEST initia- The governor also disclosed the in governance, Obaseki told pupils nations. The programme has prepared tive has made her more competent, state’s readiness to ensure that a during an interactive session with us to take over the leadership of the committed punctual and hard working. technical school is built in every local him that, “you must be knowledge- nation.” “There is nothing like truancy government area, adding that it will able which comes from taking your Some of the teachers who spoke to because we are always busy. It has be a collaboration between the state education seriously. Once you are journalists, explained how they have even improved my ability as a teacher and local government, as well as the able to go through school and you been impacted with the automated to even read more. So the difference private sector. are diligent, you will be able to know technology-backed new learning system. is visible.” “We want to strengthen the capacity what is right and participate in what A primary two teacher at Obaseki Another teacher of Idumowu Primary of our teachers at the basic level and is going on in the society and know Primary School, Benin City, Mrs. School, Ebele Igueben Local Government ensure that there is quality at every what the problems are.” Rosemary Ezehiwele, who has taught Area, Mr. Micheal Osahon Osaigbovo, level. Our graduates should be able He commended the teachers, saying in Edo State for the past 11 years, who has been teaching since 2008, to have skills to set up themselves,” that with their continued support, Edo described the transformation of teaching emphaised on the difference between he said. BEST 2.0, will be a success. from analogue to digital as amazing. the analogue system which they were According to him, the tertiary “Government alone cannot do it. “It has really helped in creating a using before the introduction of Edo institutions are going to focus on Education should be communally better future for our pupils in the state BEST and digital system, saying, “then, producing certain kinds of manpower, owned, it is a public good, it can’t by helping to improve their vocabulary we used to write notes and consult particularly agriculture and healthcare, be owned by an aspect of govern- development, with the use of connec- books, but now, we have schedules and among others, while promising that ment. We need to make adequate our tive symbols, speech sounds, thinking the schedule comes directly into our his administration would make tertiary education system.” ability and logics in Mathematics, they computer and we teach from there. institutions in the state competitive In her remarks, the Chairman of are now highly knowledgeable and The push now is different from how globally. Edo-SUBEB enumerated some of can compete globally. The Edo BEST it used to be, it used to be manual, “Our education system must delib- the successes it had recorded in the programme, has really equipped them.” but now its digital. The children are erately work on our national values. last three years, saying, “teachers’ Asked where she sees her pupils studying more.” We are working hard to ensure that the attendance in Edo State today is 91 with the initiative 2.0, she said in the He noted that the impact on the same method used to achieve success per cent, lessons completion rate as at nearest future, they are going to be at pupils has been tremendous, adding in Edo BEST in three years will be today is 81 per cent and the focus is the apex of it and the pupils would that their speaking and reading skills used to change our junior and senior have improved. secondary schoools and the university “So we use sounds and pictures to system.” help identify letters (phonics) at an He commended the Chairperson, Edo Education should be communally owned, it is early age. We also instil confidence State Universal Basic Education Board into them to eliminate their fears, we (Edo-SUBEB), Dr. Joan Osa-Oviawe for a public good, it can’t be owned by an aspect use pictures to illustrate things and ensuring the success of the initiative, call them out to identify things. When adding, “I don’t see how Edo BEST of government. We need to make adequate our you see children being able to identify would have been successful if not for things by themselves, you are able to the person of Dr. Joan Oviawe and education system build their courage.” THISDAY ˾  ͵, 2021 35 EDUCATION Greensprings Decorated Monarch, VC Solicit French Govt’s as One of First HP IDEA Collaboration for Exchange Programmes, Schools in Middle East, Culture at Augustine Varsity Africa Sunday Ehigiator Odetunde, who assumed faithfuls in France, as well that will continue to put AUI Uchechukwu Nnaike the programme began in office nine months ago, said as well-established Catholic in the spotlight and make her the September 2020. The teachers The Vice-Chancellor of Augustine he is delighted and honoured universities there, the ambas- university of choice for prospec- Eight teachers from were challenged to explore University (AUI), Ilara, Lagos by the envoy’s visit, which is a sador’s visit is an opportunity tive national and international Greensprings School, Lagos a variety of frameworks to State, Prof. Christopher Ode- landmark event, being the first for the embassy to serve as a students,” he added. have been certified as HP reflect innovation in the edu- tunde has called on the French ambassador or top envoy from point of linkage between AUI Odetunde also presented some IDEA Fellows, and the school cational context. Amidst their Government through its Nigerian any embassy to personally visit and these universities, through of the products produced by has been decorated as one of already tight schedules, they Embassy, for a collaboration the campus. exchange programmes in the the institution such as garri, the first HP IDEA Schools in were able to cope with the between his institution and “Augustine University is a area of research and culture for smoked fish and bottled water the Middle East and Africa. demands of the programme French universities in the areas Catholic University, owned both staff and students. to Pasquier. The certification and decora- and successfully completed of exchange of programmes, by the people of the Catholic Commending the French In his brief remarks, Amb. tion marked the completion several innovative projects. research and culture. Archdiocese of Lagos and being government on her support Pasquier commended the of the year-long Innovation I believe the knowledge and He said this when the French a young, growing university, it for the Sugbon-Eredo Heritage, management of the institution and Digital Education Acad- skills gathered from the Ambassador to Nigeria/ must be a divine plan that you a monument site which dates for the warm welcome given to emy (IDEA) programme by programme will strengthen ECOWAS, Mr. Jerome Pasquier find yourself on our pristine back to 13th century, Odetunde him and his entourage. While Hewlett-Packard (HP). our position as an innovative paid a courtesy visit to the and serene campus today. said it is a living example of extolling the young citadel of The eight teachers certified and cutting-edge learning institution in Ilara-Epe last week. “AUI though young, is collaboration between both learning, he said education is in the school are Innocent institution.” According to the vice- fast becoming a world-class countries as such programmes very important and top priority Oaikhena, Esther Akpan, Wilson added that the chancellor, the synergy would university in her outlook and will go a long way in enhancing not only in Nigeria, but globally. Rachael Eretan, Omolade HP IDEA School plaque is be a great opportunity for the educational character and she the learning curve for staff and He assured the management Adetola, Bosede Agboola, now displayed on the three embassy to serve as a point of has all it takes to rub shoulders students from both countries; of his country’s support that Lanre Oguntoye, Monsuru campuses of Greensprings linkage between AUI and these with the best universities in the synergy he added will also when the COVID has subsided Okunade, and Omolade Oni. School, and that every universities. He added that the the world. Your coming is an position AUI as a research hub. they will look for a way to Commenting on the teacher of the school now visit has presented the university, opportunity for the university “We hope that your coming establish a relationship between achievement, Greensprings’ has an opportunity to become which has all the potential to to establish a relationship with today will mark the beginning AUI and French universities. Deputy Director of Educa- an HP IDEA Associate. compete with the best tertiary the people of France and her of an impactful relationship “There are universities that have tion, Dr. Barney Wilson HP IDEA is an initiative of institutions in the country, the educators.” between our university and been in existence for decades in said the programme will HP, the computer hardware platform to establish a significant Odetunde said Augustine the French Embassy. As stated Nigeria but we want to see if strengthen the school’s manufacturer, in collaboration relationship with a European University being a Catholic earlier, the university is grow- we can achieve a collaboration position as an innovative with Intel, a leading producer country known for its best University in Nigeria with ing slowly, but steadily as we between your university and the and cutting-edge learning of semiconductors, and Mirai practices in education. the millions of Catholic hope to embark on projects French universities in France.” institution. Partners, an education in- “Eight of our teachers are novation consultancy. The now HP IDEA Fellows, and programme was designed to we are extremely happy address the challenges and about this achievement. harness the opportunities To become fellows, they presented by COVID-19’s had intensive training ses- impact on the education sions weekly and attended sector in Middle East and scheduled conferences since Africa. FG Presents Concept Note on Establishment of Aviation Varsity Kuni Tyessiin Abuja tary, Directors and Heads of Agencies, said the ‘African The federal government has Aviation and Aerospace presented a concept note University Abuja’ will be of the proposed Aviation dedicated to research and and Aerospace University development of knowledge to the National Universities in aviation and aerospace. Commission (NUC). He said the quest for the The commission, a regula- university was driven by the L-R: The Registrar, Augustine University, Mrs. Margaret Aziba; the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christopher Odetunde; French tor of university education need to fill some identified Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Jerome Pasquier; Alara of Ilara-Epe Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Oba Olu- in Nigeria, assured the gaps for the growth and folarin Ogunsanwo and his wife, Olori Bolanle, during Pasquier’s courtesy visit to the university in Ilara-Epe, Lagos… Minister of Aviation, Senator development of the aviation recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT Hadi Sirika that it would sector. expeditiously look into “When we took up the concept document he the leadership in civil submitted. aviation, we identified and Korean Speech, Writing Contest Produces Winners The Executive Secretary, understood the gap in the NUC, Professor Abubakar growth and development Olawale Ajimotokan Faith Iyanuoluwa Aiyedogbon their communication and writ- sent their scripts via email. Rasheed, who gave the of civil aviation in Nigeria in Abuja placed second and third respec- ing skills in Korean Language. The theme for this year’s assurance after receiving in particular and Africa in tively in the speech making The winner of the speaking speaking contest is ‘My Favou- the note from the minister, general. We are deficient Ayodele Precious and Joy Elo category, while Onyekachi category stands a chance to rite Korean Word’, while the said the commission will in research and develop- Ossai have emerged winners Anthony Ikoku and Deborah visit Korea on an all-expense writing competition theme is engage some professors to ment in civil aviation of the 2021 Korean Speech and Oluwabukola Adedeji trailed paid trip. Due to the CO- ‘The Korean Tourist Destination perfect the concept note for and aerospace technology Writing Contest. Ossai in the writing contest. VID-19 pandemic, both the I would like to Visit’. immediate approval. and that has caused a lot The contest, which was held The Korean speech and writ- entry submissions and award Three winners from each “I can assure you that of underdevelopment of online, was organised by the ing competition is an annual ceremony for this year were category got various cash by the end of the month the sector and made us Korean Cultural Centre of event for students of Korean done online. Students for the prizes, while the winner in (July), we are going to have backwards.” the Embassy of the Republic Language. speaking category submitted the speaking category will a brand new university, the He said there are huge of Korea. The competition assists their videos by email, just as be recommended for a trip first of its kind in Abuja, gaps in the aviation sector Muizat Kehinde Ayoola and language students to improve those for writing competition to Korea. the first African university that need intervention, dedicated to aviation and particularly in the area of aerospace study in the research and development country.” in order to advance the Women Group Emphasises Child Education for Better Society The NUC executive betterment of the Civil Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Asfour, current President of administration of academic the visit to the school was secretary applauded the Aviation and Aerospace African Business and Profes- activities and progress made to inspect progress made in minister for his courage in industry. The International Federation sional Women in the African in imparting education in teaching of children since its ensuring that the university “We have been working of Business and Professional Union (AU) and immediate past pupils of the school. inception in 2017. sees the light of the day. three to four years now into Women (BPW International) President of BPW International, She said BPW International Ajibola said they were He said the proposed this and we developed a has stressed the importance of said any society that aspires as one of the most influential impressed with what they saw institution is a special concept note based on educating children, particularly to progress in any facet of networks of business and pro- and called on the management one that deserves support, the advice by Executive the girl-child, for a better, human endeavour must make fessional women in the world, and staff of the school to keep noting that it won’t serve Secretary NUC for critique prosperous and sustainable the education of its children will continue to champion the on with the good job and only Nigeria, but the entire and that will fast track the society. its priority. cause for the promotion and make L.E.A Tungan Kwasou continent and the interna- process of setting up the Making the emphasis during According to a statement enhancement of education and in an example among its peers tional community. University. We come up a familiarization visit to the issued by the Head Teacher, particular, that of the girl-child. in the provision of quality Earlier the minister, who with concept note of what L.E.A Primary School, Tungan LEA Primary School, Hajiya In her remarks, the National primary education in Bwari was accompanied by the will be the focus of this Kwasou in Bwari Area Council Rahmat Suleiman, Dr. Asfour President of BPW International, Area Council and the FCT as ministry’s Permanent Secre- university,” he explained. of the FCT, Abuja, Dr. Amany expressed satisfaction with the Nigeria, Mrs. Yinka Ajibola said a whole. 36 THISDAY ˾  ͵, 2021 EDUCATION Septuagenarian Fetes Special Needs Children to Celebrate Birthday Chris Asika Apapa, was followed by a save the lives of the children. of God be sufficient for you in holy communion service at “Disability is nothing as these your life. We wish you happy As part of activities marking his the church. children are created by God. birthday sir.” KEHINDE OMORU 70th birthday, the Chief Execu- In appreciation, a staff of They are unique and should In his sermon titled ‘One day www.kayomoru.com tive Officer of Icepok Nigeria the orphanage, who preferred be treated as such by society at a Time’, he said the number Limited, Chief Ifeanyichukwu anonymity, thanked the celebrant at large. Integration and equal 70 appeared many times in Okaro recently donated provi- and invited guests. rights should not be denied, they the bible, but not in respect IT NEEDN’T BE SO sions, food stuffs and toiletries, “On behalf of the founder, are disabled which means they to birthdays. For instance, he Recently, a discourse session took place on the emotional trauma that and cash to the Heart of Gold God will bless you for creating are there already, we think we said in Exodus 24:12 Moses was parents/wards/older siblings, uncles, aunts and what-have-you’ continue Children’s Hospice, Surulere, out time to visit these abandoned are normal but the truth is we accompanied by 70 elders to to deliberately or inadvertently leave in the hearts of budding teenagers Lagos. children, 8/10 of the children are more disabled than these worship the lord and collect and young adults home and away. Okaro, a retired senior staff here are deformed. If not for children. I thank God for this the two tablet of stones where This was a mixed group of mostly middle-aged African adults who appeared of the Central Bank of Nigeria, COVID-19, we usually encourage vision and my unquenchable the commandment was written; to have each experienced situations in this regard during their own formative told THISDAY that he decided visitors to go inside and see thirst for loving, caring, working, relating it to Okaro gathing years. A gentleman described how the uncle he had to go and live with never to celebrate his birthday at the them and even play with them, walking, wining and dining with people through Grace so Amaz- paid a kobo towards his education nor gave him transport fares even though facility because of his love for but because they are vulnerable these society rejects. They are ing Foundation (GSAF), a daily day and night, he was the houseboy, gateman, handyman, and maintenance children. to ailments. my treasure.” scripture manual which he has man all rolled into one, of uncle’s family. “My love for children This facility was built and She said the facility cares for distributed to many to build I feel that narratives along what constitutes constructive training as against started very early in my life, handed over to us by Mr. Raji children with terminal and life their spiritual lives. bullying, repression, harassment, concealed enslavement, neglect, etc., do even though it took me 10 Fashola on Sunday, June 28, 2009 threatening illness which offers “Continue to praise God need to be made, heard and frequently revisited amongst ourselves. years before I started having when he was Governor of Lagos comfortable, caring and loving and worship him for all you Many Nigerian adults need to come to the realisation that they, in the name my own children, it did not State during his birthday just environment with state-of-the have achieved because some of of ‘training’ have set many teens up to fail by the very nasty utterances they stop me from loving children. I like Sir Okaro is celebrating art facility to support the society your school mates may not be made or are making to young minds. I being a sufferer of significant varying cant’s count how many kids I today and ever since then we rejects with care, comfort and as privileged as you are. Keep measures in this wise, following the untimely death of my mother when I have sponsored through school have only survived by generous pain management. the flag flying.” was only 12 years old, know this only too well. Many people can’t just find both in primary, secondary and donations of people like you Speaking during the church Okaro also called on Nigerians it within themselves to be kind, pronto! tertiary institutions. It is a call I today.” service the Vicar Venerable to recognise the less privileged I couldn’t help but to surreptitiously grit my teeth in anger quite recently at a have from God. Don’t hold back, “My prayer for you is you B.G Newton, admonished all institutions, stressing the need Nigerian father who suddenly ‘lost it’. He turned around during his daughter’s you must reach out particularly will cross 80, 90 and beyond in attendance to emulate the for wealthy citizens to show CPA review, and hissed that his 15 year old disturbed daughter would forthwith to the less privileged. That is in Jesus name, Amen. Happy exemplary life of the celebrant support just like in the civilized be sent back home for ‘sense to be beaten into her’ (dad’s actual words). the essence of Christianity. I had birthday Sir.” by giving to charity especially world. This girl had repeatedly suffered bullying at school and was struggling with to follow the scripture which On her part, the founder, Mrs. the less privileged. He prayed that God will touch accepting the physical changes in her own body, being currently a breast tells us to show compassion to Theresa Onolaja explained how “Today is a day to give thanks the hearts of the ministers of size 38b bra cup size. humanity.” some of the children were picked to God in your life and the care health, internal affairs, social Girl in question has two years history of restricting her own diet and purging The event, which was well where they were abandoned in you have given to the society. development and education to after each meal - very much a case of bulimia nervosa. This is who Nigerian attended by friends, well wishers churches, mosques and other God will grant you more hap- wake up to the social menace of father states must be sent back home (back to Nigeria) where she would and the chaplains and members public places and how the home piness, many more birthdays lack of care for the less privileged be given thorough caning for some time and she would stop being ‘silly’. He of St. Georges Military Church has given shelter and confort to and prosperity. May the grace institutions. went on heatedly to brag about his perfect brother’s child who was also 15 and just gained entrance to uni in Nigeria to read Engineering. Mum, who had attended same CPA meeting froze immediately at this her husband’s angry outburst. All of a sudden the years and years of seemingly repressed emotions welled up in her as she dropped to the floor curled into a fetal position and cried buckets. She looked up several times during her tears, threw her arms into the air as if to say, what have you just said?’ and resumed wailing hysterically. Trust me, the rules of the game changed swiftly and the processes of putting this young person in care fully began. That same day petitions were virtually exchanged and ratified. And, this disturbed girl-child was swiftly taken into care, and as clauses after clauses of the handover put it, ‘for her own safety’. So what are the fates of those millions other girls out in our communities with no advocates? Let’s come back to basics - what have you been saying to your own child about their: body, idiosyncrasies, aptitudes, weaknesses, fears, achievements and unfolding personalities? What have you already said in the past to young minds you have come in contact with? How about those of you that ‘dump’ your kids on your seemingly richer siblings, and then walk away playing the victim of life’s misfortunes. How on earth do you really feel that an uncle/aunt can totally ‘father/mother’ your own child for you? The sickening aspect of it all are those parents who religiously spitefully praise the achievements of other children to their own children. It’s called in bible terms - covetousness; one of the 10 commandments of God - forbidden to be practiced. Chief Ifeanyichukwu Christian Okaro, during the presentation of items to the Heart of Gold Children’s Hospice, Lagos, to So would you please take a minute or two to reflect on how constructive celebrate his 70th birthday your utterances presently are to your children, teenage relatives as well as teenagers around you. Are you building or setting young minds up to eventually fail? Foreshore School Pupils Excel at Cambridge Omoru is a freelance writer, education, health and social care Checkpoint Exam advocate Funmi Ogundare set of pupils. support of its stakeholders, pupils, saying, “I have served on “They performed very well including parents, teachers the board of some schools and Group Insists on Appointment of The management of The Fore- with excellent results according and the children, adding, “what I know what it takes to groom Urhobo Indigene as PTI Principal shore School (TFS) Ikoyi, Lagos, to the Cambridge international we are witnessing today is the the children. Your investment has announced the excellent score scale. Also impressive is graduation of children, some will never be in vain.” The Urhobo Advancement appropriation of the nation’s Agenda (UAA) said it has commonwealth in the midst performance of its pupils in the fact that they did all these of whom started at TLC from She advised the pupils to been inundated with ex- of playing host to enormous the Cambridge International despite having gone through about 18 months and are now protect the name of their family pressions of concerns from revenue resources, oiling Checkpoint examination for a pandemic and spent two 11 years old.” and the school as they go out different quarters over a the wheel of growth and the 2020/2021 session. academic terms within the Egbeyemi urged the pupils to the next level of learning by planned attempt to foist a development of the country. With a 100 per cent score limitations of learning from to be confident wherever they standing out. non-Urhobo indigene as the “UAA is hereby using in the examination, it said home.” find themselves, saying, “to In her remarks, the guest substantive principal of the this medium to call on the they have demonstrated a She advised them to always my wonderful children, I can speaker and Creative Direc- Petroleum Training Institute, appropriate authorities in the Effurun, Delta State, despite succession management of the comprehensive and secure level remember the foundation they only wish you the best. I look tor, Redbutton, Mrs. Chioma the overabundance of core institute to ensure that the of understanding, knowledge started with at TFS, saying, “it forward to seeing you in the Ogbudimpka encouraged the Urhobo professionals quali- pool of qualified candidates and skills of the curriculum is on this foundation that they future. You are leaving TFS to pupils to exhibit excellent traits, fied for the position. of Urhobo extraction is duly content and have been well will build themselves to become the next level of life. You will saying that this will expose them A statement signed by the accorded the right of first prepared for the next stage the best that they can be.” recall my talk with you. Always to opportunities and make National President, Theophi- refusal as it is done in other of learning. The Executive Director, be confident, don’t feel less than people to trust them as they lus Akpocha read in parts: notable federal institutions “UAA as a foremost advocate in the country.” Speaking at the 2021 gradu- Mrs. Olubunmi Egbeyemi anyone, among the values we move to the next phase of life. for equity, fairness and justice The group said it has put ation ceremony of the third set commended the teachers have imbibed in you. I wish Ogbudimpka, who is an in the affairs of Urhobo nation up mechanisms to remotely of year six pupils in Lagos who are working to ensure you the best.” alumnus of Tony Elumelu strongly condemns this move and keenly monitor the pro- recently, the Administrator, that the school meets up with The Vice-Chancellor, Uni- Foundation, said, “the more to repeatedly shortchange cess of the appointment of the Miss Oyindamola Egbeyemi international standards, despite versity of Lagos, Prof. Toyin excellent trait you exhibit, the the Urhobos because of principal of the institute this described the pupils’ perfor- the local challenges. Ogundipe, who was represented more people trust you. It will their natural disposition to time, “with high expectations peaceful co-existence and that the federal government mance as impressive, saying She said the school has by a Professor of Exercise be a lot easier to win support. warm hospitality often taken will use this opportunity to that they achieved much higher evolved from Tender Loving Physiology, Grace Otinwa You can be the greatest, nothing for granted. The Urhobos right some of the wrongs of than the international average Childcare (TLC) and Tender commended the management of can stop you from being great have over the years been the past meted on the Urhobo and also did better than its last Loving School (TLS) with the the school for its efforts on the except you.” grossly marginalised in the nation. THISDAY ˾  ͵, 2021 37   Admissions: UniAbuja Big School or Small School- What is VC Debunks Alleged Better for Your Child? Feud with JAMB Gregor Polson down cost is often a better in small schools? that there are often more primary driver in building Smaller schools typically opportunities for students Kuni Tyessi in Abuja other percentage goes to other A debate has been going a big school, particularly for have smaller classes, and to participate. For example, factors, adding that all the 36 on for a number of years to state schools. Larger schools high teacher-student ratios, in a big school typically, The Vice-Chancellor of the states of the federation are its determine what is better for are more cost effective if the which directly translates competition is fierce for University of Abuja, Prof. catchment areas. your child’s education, a outcome is simply cost per into more focus and most sports teams. Those Abdul- Rasheed Na’allah has On the call for extension big school or small school. student enrolled, but if the attention for the individual students who make the debunked ongoing rumours of validity period for JAMB As an educator who has outcome is cost per student student and their educa- team gain a personal invest- that the institution is in a results and the 2021 recorded dominantly worked in achievement, small schools tion. From an educational ment in the school, while feud with the management mass failure, Na’Allah, who small schools, I have a do better. standpoint, lower class those who don’t make the of the Joint Admissions and was careful and technical in personal preference but At approximately sizes are good because team may feel marginalized Matriculation Board (JAMB) his response, said this is not understand the concerns the same time, another it offers the opportunity and left out. In smaller over its system of admissions. the first time mass failure is of parents that a small influential book came out to differentiate and delve schools, the chance for Also, the VC disclosed that it being recorded. school doesn’t offer what called ‘Big School, Small deeper into the curriculum, student participation is has received grants to upgrade “We want pure, thorough they need for their child’s School’. This book showed while moving through it at recurrently higher because the face and landscape of the and valid admission and we education. that small schools and a faster pace. It’s equally students are required so university and this includes have no issues with JAMB, Evaluating the impact of big schools differ in the beneficial from a social they are not left behind. As the construction of parameter as the only exam students school size on educational opportunities they provide standpoint. With fewer a result, students in smaller fence, 21st century senate do to gain admission into and personal growth is to students. Where small students in the classroom, schools and their families building, more hostels and this institutions is the UTME. a complex problem, and schools provide the oppor- class participation is have more of a stake in classrooms, street lights and “The admission process enrolment by itself does tunity for more responsibil- inescapable, but also usu- their school and a real indoor sports facilities, among remains 45 per cent on merit not necessarily give us the ity and involvement, big ally less intimidating. The feeling that they make a others. before we go to the state level. complete picture. schools offer curriculum size of such schools actually difference. JAMB had in the 2020 Every state in the federation is One of the earliest choices. promotes belongingness; Size alone does not Unified Tertiary Matriculation our catchment area and this is publications on this issue Why can small schools it becomes difficult for determine a school’s Examination (UTME), alleged just too technical. No one has was written in 1959 and offer more responsibility students to go unnoticed success, but it certainly can that the university was not accused us of taking students was called ‘The American and involvement? Small and their individual needs be a contributing factor to following laid down principle that we like as against the High School Today’. This schools will generally are identified. the success of your child. in its admission process and admission process. The story book changed the shape of have fewer staff in certain Smaller schools operate The most important aspect was going ahead to give here is that we are working education in the US with areas, which allows the more like a community of schooling is to know admissions without recourse well and doing the best we can. its emphasis on large high parents and students an than a corporation. They your child and understand to the exam body. “This is not the first time schools, a model followed opportunity to be involved frequently have a greater where they will get the In response, the institution we are having mass failure by many state systems. in leadership roles, which sense of unity, especially education for them to categorically stated that its in the Nigerian educational The conclusion was that encourages involvement. if they are built around achieve their best. action was legitimate and system and the fault can be a large school could offer Big schools on the other a particular belief system backed by university laws. from the students, parents, the more choices in the cur- hand can be overstaffed in shared by the parents and -Polson is Principal Head The VC, who cleared the air exam body and other factors. riculum and facilities due to these areas. staff alike. Another reason Teacher, Lagos Preparatory at the commemoration of his “JAMB has been serving economies of scale. Holding Why do students do for this intimate feel is and Secondary School second year in office, at the Nigeria well. The kind of the institution’s main campus, thoroughness of JAMB’s said its system of admissions computer based test centres, has not changed as 45 per it is doubtful that things can cent is for merit, while the just happen,” he said. NGO Trains 500 Indigent Students on Prevention of Illicit Drug Use Kasim Sumaina in Abuja came in different segments, which includes a creative art A non-governmental or- competition where students ganisation (NGO), Freedom were allowed to express their Foundation, in partnership thoughts and ideas about drug with Drug Abuse Prevention abuse in Nigeria through Centre (DAPC), has concluded creative arts such as drawing, a six-month anti-drug abuse music and spoken words to campaign which witnessed the win amazing prices. training of 500 in-school and The youths comprising out-of-school youths in Oshodi- secondary school students from Isolo Local Government Area Raising Sun Secondary School, of Lagos on ways to prevent or Isolo; Chrisland High School, delay the initiation of drug use. Lekki, among others, called on The campaign, which began the federal government to nip From left: The Registrar, Wellspring University, Benin City, Edo State, Dr. Patrick Ohikhena; Chairman, Board of Trustees, in January according to the in the bud the growing tide of General Ephraim Usaide (Rtd); Vice-Chancellor, Professor T. Omobuwajo; Chancellor, Pastor Ituah Ighodaro; Pro-Chancel- foundation, is aimed at educat- drug abuse and the distribu- lor, Daniel Isimoya, his wife, Mrs. Idiowa Isimoya; University Librarian, Mr. Adedoyin Esan; and Bursar, Mr. Paradise Iwoh, ing the students on different tion of illicit drugs within the at the second combined convocation ceremony of the university... recently ways to prevent or delay early country. initiation to drug use. According to them, the The event Coordinating future of the average Nigerian Manager, Miss Oluwakemi youth may be at a huge risk Entrepreneur Partners Academy, Awards Scholarship Odedeyi disclosed this recently of jeopardy and failure if the at a conference organised by growing concern of drugs to Nigerian Students foundation in partnership with use and abuse is not properly DAPC, in Lekki, Lagos. addressed. Funmi Ogundare preneurship training, digital to acquire necessary knowl- laboration with the Nigerian Odedeyi stated that it is no The students who expressed skills training, leadership and edge and education skills to entrepreneur which provides a longer news to the average their thoughts through creative A Nigerian entrepreneur, information communication contribute to the development rare platform for Nigerians to Nigerian that the Nigerian methods such as drawings, spo- author and coach, Mr. Fidel skills to provide educational of the Nigerian society at the acquire knowledge and grow. community is saturated with ken word, poems and drama, Melody has partnered an Af- entrepreneurship pathways long-run. “We are super excited by illicit drugs and substances highlighted the causes of drug rican University, Leadpreneur to Nigerians aimed at nation “I have always been a this collaboration. This is a harmful to human health. abuse in Nigeria, its effects on Academy based in Benin building. champion of the Nigerian great opportunity for talented “As we conclude our adolescents and youths and the Republic to award 100 per According to Melody, “it is youths because of the enor- Nigerians to receive 100 per six-month anti-drug abuse role of parents, as well as the cent tuition-free scholarship important to complement the mity of their potential. This is cent tuition-free scholarship to campaign which began in Janu- youths in curbing the menace to Nigerians students. effort of the government in the an exciting deal for me col- acquire 21st century-compliant ary, has seen to the training of of drugs in the country. In a groundbreaking education sector by providing laborating with Leadpreneur knowledge including digital 500 in-school and out-of-school The winner of the creative ambassadorial endorse- relevant opportunities to de- Academy, a top tier institution skills, entrepreneurship, youths in Oshodi-Isolo LGA art competition, Master Ibrahim ment, Melody Fidel and serving and talented Nigerians in Benin Republic, not only to leadership core values, on ways to prevent or delay Shittu, a student of New Hall Leadpreneur Academy will to acquire core knowledge that bring qualitative educational artificial intelligence and the initiation of drug, online International School, said, “we provide qualitative education are relevant for the daunting and skills empowerment to management pre-requisites community awareness, creation learnt a lot and personally, I and skills empowerment to task of nation building in this Nigerians, but at 100 per cent among many others at of drug-free clubs in secondary was able to identify various Nigerians to study at the 21st century.” tuition-free as well.” Leapreneur Academy, an schools within the community, ways to avoid drug abuse and Benin Republic University He said the 100 per cent The Academic Director, accredited institution that school advocacies, among other also speak up when my peers at 100 per cent tuition-free. tuition free scholarship will Leadpreneur Academy, Mr. has continued to churn out awareness programmes. try to lure me into trying any They will be combining provide several opportunities Henry Okooboh emphasised graduates who are poised to She added that the campaign drugs.” several years of social entre- for teeming Nigerian youths on the importance of the col- shape the present and future.” 38 THISDAY ˾  ͵, 2021

ÜÙßÚÏËÞßÜÏÝÎÓÞÙÜ˝ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏäÏÙÌÓ CITYSTRINGS ×ËÓÖÍÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ˛ÏäÏÙÌÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט͖͕͔͑͑͒͑͒͑͑͘ Lagos Ports Congestion: Eto Call-up System as Best Solution Ephraims Sheyin

igeria is believed to have the most robust port infrastructure in the sub-region, but port us- ers have continued to struggle with huge economic costs due Nto inefficiencies arising from unfavourable export and import processes. Over the years, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has made several interventions to resolve the incidence of heavy vehicular and human congestion around the country’s seaports and off-dock terminals, especially those within the Lagos axis where a large chunk of the nation’s external trade is processed. After experimenting with a manual truck scheduling arrangement for over a year, the NPA came up with an electronic truck call-up system in February, to tackle the perennial traffic gridlock responsible for the delay along the access roads leading to the country’s two busiest ports. The truck call-up system, dubbed “Eto”, the Yoruba word for “to schedule”, is now the only authorised pathway for cargo trucks to access the port, including transfer of empty containers by shipping To keep the ports on the path of efficiency and growth, the 'Eto' system is the way out companies. Mr Ibrahim Nasiru, NPA’s Assistant Allegations of forgery of transit e-tickets installation of CCTVs at the port’s entry on the “Eto” dashboard. General Manager, Corporate and Strategic and selling of tags to truck drivers by and exit points. The new measures also stipulated that Communications, in a statement, insisted unscrupulous TTP employees were rife, He also called for the hiring of qual- all trucks must physically be situated in that, “henceforth, all trucks doing business while cries of extortion by security opera- ity and experienced human resources, their respective truck park or pre-gates at the ports in Lagos will be required to tives assigned to monitor traffic along the improved response time to customers’ before being called out or pre-gated out, park at approved truck parks until they are port corridor became increasingly strident. demands, and better information sharing as applicable, with any truck or truck park called-up into the port through “Eto”, the Those benefiting from the existing disorder with other designated transit park opera- found not complying blacklisted, or shut new application. seemed determined to preserve the status tors. down. “The ‘Eto’ application will be responsible quo. To further ensure that the goal of “Eto” Vehicles not verified from such truck for the scheduling, entry and exit of all But TTP and the manager of the “Eto” was not derailed, Bello-Koko met with parks but are on the manifest shall not be trucks into the port with effect from 27th platform say that the challenges are being the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide allowed into the port, while the responsibil- February 2021,” the statement said. addressed frontally, with Chief Operating Sanwo-Olu, to fine-tune strategies to curb ity for ensuring that all trucks reflected in With the deployment of “Eto”, truck Officer of TTP, Temidayo Adeboye, indiscriminate parking and alleged extor- the manifest physically emerged from the companies, terminal operators and freight describing the “Eto” technology as the right tion of truck drivers by traffic and security truck parks shall be that of the truck parks agents are required to download the app, solution toward resolving the chaos and operatives on the access roads leading to and TTP. and then proceed to create an account to corruption around the movement of trucks, the ports. At the port end, TTP must ensure that monitor the schedule and movement of especially to the Lagos ports. The NPA and Lagos State government re- only trucks on the manifest gained access their trucks in and out of the port. “We deployed the right technology to solved to collaborate more on enforcement into the port while NPA provides security. According to the managers of the e-call drive the process and it was a very reliable of traffic rules by rejigging the security To affirm seriousness, some truck parks up system, Messrs Trucks Transit Parks system; it was organised, and guaranteed architecture on the port access roads which were recently suspended for some infrac- Ltd (TTP), benefits to subscribers of “Eto” easy control of traffic. But as they say, had been fingered as a major contributor to tions. include increased returns on logistics invest- when you fight corruption, it will fight the delays and alleged extortions along the To ward off extortions, the new measures ment while maximising time per trip. back. There were lots of money that were corridors. stipulated that after a ticket had been duly Others include the easing of truck changing hands and people were profiting Arising from the meeting, it was agreed issued, it is the responsibility of the truck traffic congestion and streamlining cargo from the chaos and weren’t happy when that henceforth, monitoring and traffic owner/driver to secure it as no other law movement activities, smart parking for TTP came on board,” he explained. enforcement within the port corridors enforcement agent is authorised to check trucks, information navigation options for Determined to restore port users’ would be round–the-clock. Sanwo-Olu also driver’s call-up tickets. truck owners/drivers on available parking confidence in the electronic truck call-up promised to engage owners of oil tank The truck status could be validated by spaces, as well as convenience and safety system as witnessed in the early days of farms and representatives of petroleum law enforcement officials using the manifest for drivers at designated truck transit parks. its roll-out, Acting Managing Director of workers’ unions to key into the “Eto” as published, and the truck’s registered From available accounts, the roll-out of the NPA, Malam Mohammed Bello-Koko’s platform, to put an end to the indiscrimi- plate number, while LASG/LASTMA shall the electronic truck call-up platform proved first public action when he assumed office nate parking of oil and gas trucks on the impound all trucks not on the manifest but to be a game-changer with its instant posi- in early May, was a visit to the Lilypond port access roads. hanging around port locations at any-time, tive impact on the carriage cost of goods at Terminal described as the theatre of opera- The governor stressed that private without additional notice. the two Lagos ports. tions for “Eto”. operators in the ports must play their Analysts have hailed the renewed zeal The haulage fee imposed on fully laden His mission was to re-assess the quality part toward ensuring that ports in Lagos for the success of the “Eto” app, especially containers from the Lagos Ports Complex, of infrastructure and operational frame- were transformed into logistics centres of in view of the enormous impact of the Apapa to a destination within the Lagos work deployed by the system manager. excellence. Apapa traffic situation on socio-economic area fell substantially in the week the “Eto” Bello-Koko, while interacting with Having re-evaluated the implementation activities in Lagos. app was formally launched. haulage operators and drivers during his of the call-up system along with a thorough They have also commended the Similarly, carriage cost from Tin-Can visit, assured them of NPA’s commitment review of the feedbacks from industry current efforts of Bello-Koko who, they Island Port to warehouses within Lagos to speedily resolve all teething challenges stakeholders and users of the app, Bello- recalled, had played a major role in the State dropped progressively by the second against the smooth implementation of the Koko recently endorsed the implementation conceptualisation and eventual roll-out of quarter of 2021, according to the records. call-up system. of additional measures designed to correct the electronic truck call-up system while However, in spite of the firm directive He promised that both the online deficiencies so far identified. serving as NPA’s Executive Director, by the NPA that non-compliance to the use scheduling process and truck transit According to the new measures, hence- Finance and Administration. of “Eto” and its guidelines would result in arrangement would be fine-tuned to check forth, a daily manifest will be generated by They believe that the “Eto” initiative, if denial of access into the ports, impounding manipulation and other vices associated TTP for all trucks approved to access the effectively deployed, will bring an end to of trucks and withdrawal of registration or with the new arrangement. port. the intractable vehicular gridlock on the operating license, investigation has shown “We will ensure that the entire process The manifest will be shared with all access roads leading to the country’s two that some truck drivers and their collabora- is fully automated and secured to prevent customers (subscribers), while truck owners busiest seaports. tors appear bent on derailing the system. counterfeiting, while priority will be given will inform the drivers of trucks on the They, however, emphasised the buy-in While the responsible trucking companies to export cargoes in line with the eco- list/manifest to proceed to their various of the port community, noting that such continue to follow due process, the actions nomic diversification agenda of the Federal port destinations according to their allotted support was critical to success. of some desperate truck drivers have Government. time as stated in the manifest. Mr Sesan Onileimo, Executive Director, become a big worry to the NPA. After “I have directed that action be taken The manifest for each day’s movement Maritime Industry Advocacy Initiative, an the smooth process witnessed in the early immediately to improve the overall ef- will be circulated by 10 p.m. of the previ- NGO, put it more succinctly. weeks following the launch of the “Eto” ficiency of the truck scheduling system for ous day and all movements will be done “The ‘Eto’ system must be supported to app, vested interests responsible for the the benefit of its subscribers,” the NPA boss strictly in accordance with approved time succeed to keep the Nigerian port economy sorry traffic situation around the port began said. belt for each truck category. on the path of efficiency and growth; it is to push back. The improvements he demanded from The trucks that will be on the manifest an intervention too good to fail,” he said. Truck owners, allegedly in collusion with TTP included immediate deployment of are those that emanate (i.e. pre-gated out) state agents including NPA security staff, physical infrastructure such as bollards, from truck parks approved by NPA/LASG, ... Sheyin writes for the News Agency of began to willingly circumvent the process. spikes and automated barriers and the while the status must show “left Pre-gate” Nigeria (NAN). THISDAY ˾  ͵, 2021 39 CRIME&SECURITY Waging War against Drug Abuse in Katsina Wife of the Katsina State Governor, Dr. Hadiza Bello Masari is tackling the prevailing rate of drug addiction among youths and married women in the state, writes Francis Sardauna he wave of drug addiction that is pervading Nigeria, with dominance mostly in the North and some parts of the West has tipped the nation into a boilingT conundrum. The reason is not far-fetched. Recent discreet investigation by THISDAY has revealed that married women, youths and students in Katsina State often abuse cough syrups, Indian hemp and off-the-counter drugs like rophynol, tramadol, diazepam and lexotan, which are controlled drugs that should only be sold after a doctor’s prescription. The consequences of this menace in the state have been terrible as findings revealed that drug abuse has led to the prevailing cases of banditry, kidnapping, unwanted pregnancies, adultery, and burglary as well as broken homes in the state. This age-long predicament has also burgeoned into a critical economic, social and physiological crisis, which if unchecked, portends grave danger to the society at large. Consequently, the menace has become the concern of all and sundry because the victims and traffickers of drugs live in the society as neighbours, children, friends, students, siblings and spouses or even parents. Today, the disturbing global phenomenon to which no nation is immune, has spread to many homes as even married women get increasingly involved in illicit drugs and substance abuse. Miffed by this scenario, Wife of the Katsina State Governor, Dr. Hadiza Bello Hajiya Hadiza Masari Masari, is out to deal with the drug scourge and bring other stakeholders on youths, students and married women who are the leaders of tomorrow. This the civil society as agents of change and board, to collectively face the challenge in the state with a view to stemming (Masari) administration through active public enlightenment to join the fight of drug abuse head-on through her pet the challenge. collaboration with my NGO is therefore against abuse and illicit trafficking as project, "Centre for the Advancement Mrs Masari, through her Non- up and doing in bringing about op- well sensitise the general public against of Mothers and Children". governmental Organisation (NGO), portunities that would enable our youths stigmatisation of victims to foster fast Thus, she built a benefiting state-of-the- is also partnering traditional rulers, to be self-employed and improve their recovery. art centre in Funtua Local Government teachers, community and religious economic well-being. The chief judge added that: "It is high Area of the state for the rehabilitation leaders to help sensitise families, as- "There is sufficient evidence that the time we understood that the victims and reformation of drug addicts and sociates and friends of the victims to use of licit and illicit substances has are our sons, daughters, husbands, offenders. dissuade them from further abuse so contributed in no small measure to the wives, parents, in-laws, neighbours The centre, which is located in Funtua as to quicken the process of reducing prevalence of insecurity and acute and and colleagues who would one day town, the headquartres of Funtua Lo- stigma associated with drug abuse and chronic health conditions and social rise to positions of leadership in our cal Government, was inaugurated in other related crimes afflicting residents problems like domestic violence, road societies". December 2019 with the sole aim of of the state. traffic and workplace accidents, and Even though Dr. Hadiza Bello Masari provide counselling, rehabilitation and Consequently, the governor's wife criminal activities. Both substances are has over the years responded boldly to treatment to drug users in order to is determined to ward off trafficking responsible for the majority of treatment this global challenge with innovative, stem the tide of drug addiction among and consumption of illicit drugs in all demands recorded in local facilities". standard-setting drug demand reduction youths, particularly students, young parts of the state. Infact, she is not only She explained that there was a need policies and programmes, there is need girls and married women in the state. concerned about total rehabilitation of for all stakeholders to pay attention to for other policymakers to join forces with The centre is fully equipped with victims of drug abuse, but also reducing the dangers inherent in the increasing her for more awareness programmes facilities, caregivers and psychologists stigmatisation to foster fast recovery of use of amphetamine-type-stimulants, to address the perception of stigma to aid victims' quick rehabilitation and all affected persons, particularly rural injecting drug use, lack of services for among the youths and their families over provide counseling for them to easily dwellers across the state, hence her drug users and the gender disearities that substance use and to remove barriers reintegrate into the society and contribute unflinching support at all times. exist in access to treatment, calling for towards seeking care for the problem. meaningfully to the socio-economic Meanwhile, in commemoration of this concerted efforts to tackle the problem. These programmes should also address swell being of the society. The centre year's (2021) International Day Against According to her, "in the midst of the inability of the youths, students and also focuses on patient detoxification Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Dr. this changing scene we have not made married women to perceive addictive and rehabilitation for drug and alcohol Hadiza, flanked by the Chairman, much progress in drug policy reform behaviours as a health risk. Parents dependents by assessing their physical Board of Trustees of her NGO who as we continue to rely on untested and and support persons’ involvement and mental health, detoxification and is also the Chief Judge of the State, ineffective strategies and not giving due and engagement in youth programmes rehabilitation which include counselling, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, visited attention to treatment and rehabilitation. should be strengthened further as it educative activities, occupational training Funtua Correctional Centre where she Treatment should be readily available improves communication and better and social reintegration. distributed bags of rice, maize, millet to anyone in need and such treatment decision-making for youth health issues. Since its inception, the centre has and salt to inmates at the facility. She should be professional in nature and Family-based prevention programmes embarked on numerous humanitarian equally secured freedom for 16 inmates, based on the best available evidence". emphasising parenting skills, training activities which includes; community including a breastfeeding mother, who Similarly, the Chairman, Board of or improving family functioning, com- sensitisation against drug abuse, trained have been in detention for years. Trustees of the Centre for the Ad- munication and family rules regarding 33 people across the 11 local government Speaking shortly after the distribution vancement of Mothers and Children, substance abuse needs to be introduced. areas in Funtua zone as community of the items, Dr. Hadiza Masari, said Justice Danladi while in a media chat Also, teachers are a major source of drug advisory and counseling workers, studies indicate that drug addiction is to commemorate the day, lamented that information to young people. Hence, schools campaign programme against threatening a generation of students, about 15 million Nigerians partake in strengthening the role and performance drug abuse that covers all secondary women and youths, adding that sub- drug abuse, most of whom he said are of educational institutions, ensuring schools in the zone and partnered the stances that were once unknown have the youth population. availability of counselling services, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency acquired notoriety among the women, ”Imagine what would become of gender sensitivity issues, making life (NDLEA) and the National Youths Service who now put them to negative use. Nigeria in the next 15 years if by skills courses a part of curriculum, Corps (NYSC) on public sensitisation She described the issue of drug abuse default tomorrow, these youths assume are required for health and welfare programmes. as a heinous crime which breaks her leadership positions in the society. The of young people. These, among other notable humanitar- heart, adding that parents must ensure result would indeed be a chaotic society Most importantly, in all youth- related ian services that included media advocacy that their children who are entrusted where life becomes short, nasty and programmes, young people should be and mass mobilisation campaigns in to them by God are safe from people brutish. God forbid", he said. involved and engaged to empower nooks and crannies of the state, had with questionable characters. Consequently, he called on all and them to take informed decisions by drastically reduced the menace of drug She said: “We strongly condemn sundry to ensure the total eradication government at all levels, including abuse. Accordingly, from 2019 to date, the activities of drug traffickers in of consumption and trafficking of illicit non-governmental organisations, civil the centre has succesfully provided view of their negative consequences drugs and the stigmatisation of its society organisations and philanthropists free counselling for more than 7,000 of destroying the future of our youths, victims. He admonished the media and in the country. 40 THISDAY ˾  ͵˜2021 BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE NDIC to Partner BPSR to Boost Service Delivery to Depositors James Emejo ÓØÌßÔË an Efficiency and Innovation Earlier, Arabi had explained Unit in the Strategy Develop- that the IT-based self-assessment The Managing Director/Chief ment Department in compliance tool of the bureau is designed to Executive, Nigeria Deposit with the directive of the Head of coordinate, monitor and evaluate Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Civil Service of the Federation. the implementation of reforms as Mr. Bello Hassan has expressed The NDIC boss, in a statement well as disseminate information the corporation’s readiness to by the NDIC Director, Commu- on all aspects of public service, partner the Bureau of Public nication and Public Affairs, Mr. amongst other objectives. Service Reforms (BPSR) towards Bashir Nuhu, further restated the He expressed optimism in enhancing innovation in the corporation’s support for external the corporation’s ability to delivery of services to depositors assessment of its performance implement the bureau’s self- and other stakeholders. and expressed the belief that assessment processes and its Speaking when he received the the Self- Assessment Tool (SAT) commitment towards putting Director-General of the bureau, developed by the bureau would innovation as a top priority to Mr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi and his complement the NDIC’s existing promote excellence in service management team on courtesy mechanism for assessing the delivery. visit to the corporation, Hassan effective discharge of its mandate. He added that the BPSR will said the NDIC remained com- This, he said, will also assist it continue to collaborate with the mitted towards effective service in achieving the federal govern- NDIC as well as other govern- delivery. ment’s objectives of significantly ment agencies in assessing their He said this informed the strengthening governance and performance to ensure optimal swift approval by the NDIC accountability in service delivery discharge of their mandate to board for the establishment of to the citizenry. the populace NIRSAL MFB Denies Alleged Misappropriation of AGSMEIS Facility James Emejo ÓØÌßÔË swap of phone numbers with utilised by the said beneficiary MARKET INDICATORS similar names in 2019, when in early 2020 while repayment NIRSAL Microfinance Bank full automation had not been had also commenced after MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) (NMFB) yesterday denied allega- deployed.” moratorium. tions that it had misappropriated While putting the records “This explains why Rebecca JANUARY 2021 the sum of N5 million loan facility straight, the bank stated: “The Zamari Daniel was receiving text Money Supply (M3) 38,779,455.43 under the fact of the matter is that this was messages for the repayment of Agri-Business Small and a rare case of swap of phone a N500,000 loan. -- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors 1,039,129.55 Medium Enterprises Investment numbers with similar names in “Presently, the information Money Supply (M2) 37,740,325.88 Scheme (AGSMEIS) with respect 2019, when full automation had mismatch has been sorted and to a beneficiary. not been deployed. the N5 million loan for Rebecca -- Quasi Money 21,779,302.69 Specifically, the bank said the “The phone numbers of two Zamari Daniel booked. “ -- Narrow Money (M1) 15,961,023.19 accusation that an “AGSMEIS applicants bearing the same name The statement added that the loan of N5 million was diverted (Rebecca Daniel and Rebecca AGSMEIS application process ---- Currency Outside Banks 2,364,871.13 by staff of NMFB is far from Zamari Daniel) exchanged places had now been improved by the truth”. during the disbursement process. leveraging on technology to ---- Demand Deposits 13,596,152.06 The financial institution how- “Incidentally, both had bring about efficiency following Net Foreign Assets (NFA) 7,414,275.50 ever, reiterated its commitment to AGSMEIS loan approvals for fully-automated process from start delivering services in a seamless different sums. Upon disburse- to finish. Net Domestic Assets(NDA) 31,365,179.93 manner for more rewarding ment, the loan of N500,000.00 The bank said applicants are -- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) 42,916,586.63 experience for customers. was approved in favor of the now able to carry out a BVN In a statement issued yesterday rightful person using her Bank validation exercise, conduct a ---- Credit to Government (Net) 12,304,773.44 by Head, Corporate Communica- Verification Number (BVN) but credit bureau check and provide 0.00 tions, NMFB, Halima Idris Omar, with a wrong phone number.” guarantors online, whereas online ---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA the bank described the incident Omar, however, pointed out questionnaire replaces physical ---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA) 0.00 in question as a, “rare case of that the loan had since been or telephone interview. ---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS) 30,611,813.19 First Bank to Support Education Sector --Other Assets Net 3,892,112.74 Reserve Money (Base Money 13,264,585.14 Ugo Aliogo the growth and development of the ‘Outstanding Invaluable Nigeria’s economy. Company Award’ by The Rotary --Currency in Circulation 2,831,167.19 The Chief Executive Officer, He also stated that the sup- International. --Banks Reserves 10,433,417.96 ˾ÙßÜÍÏ̋ First Bank Nigeria Limited, port would boost the mutually “The recognition stems from --Special Intervention Reserves 317,234.17 Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, has beneficial partnership between the the bank’s impactful corporate expressed the preparedness of bank and Rotary International. social responsibility projects the bank to support the Rotary “It would help actualise our in the areas of education, Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Club of Lagos in its quest to mutual objectives of growing health, economic and youth Month March 2018 upscale basic education and our people, minimising nega- empowerment, infrastructure, Inter-Bank Call Rate 15.16 literacy by supporting the tive environmental impacts, and and environment, amongst provision of school libraries investing in the communities in others, which Rotary consid- Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) with N5, 000,000. which we operate,” he added. ers invaluable in the service to Adeduntan, who this disclosed He further explained that humanity. We thank you again Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) 14.00 recently in Lagos, during the the bank is committed to the for this honour. We are deeply Treasury Bill Rate 11.84 installation ceremony of Mr. sustainability of the communities committed to supporting the Babawale Agbeyangi, as the in which they operate, adding that education sector.” Savings Deposit Rate 4.07 61st President of Rotary Club its corporate responsibility and He said at the outset of the of Lagos and Commencement of sustainability pillars are hinged COVID-19 pandemic last year, 1 Month Deposit Rate 8.82 Humanitarian Projects for the year on education, health, welfare, FirstBank strengthened the 2021-2022, said the support was in financial inclusion, responsible sector to recover by launching 3 Months Deposit Rate 9.72 line with the bank’s sustainability lending and procurement. an e-learning initiative aimed 6 Months Deposit Rate 10.93 drive to improve reading habits According to him, “In 2019, at moving one million students in students and further increase the bank was recognised with across the nation to e-learning. 12 Months Deposit Rate 10.21

Prime Lending rate 17.35

Old Mutual Launches Life Insurance Savings Plan Maximum Lending Rate 31.55 Ebere Nwoji an option. covered from unpredictable Old Mutual Executive Head, circumstances”, she said . ˾ÙØÏÞËÜãÙÖÓÍãËÞÏ̋ͯͱϱ Old Mutual has developed a Marketing and Customer Ex- According to her, Old Mu- short term life insurance savings perience, Mrs. Alero Ladipo, tual, the Nigerian subsidiary of OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ͳ  ͰͮͰͯ plan that allows an individual while speaking on the product, Old Mutual Limited launched save as well as obtain life cover said experience over the course the product in Nigeria to The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $75.71 a barrel on Monday, compared up to N1 million. of 2020/2021 have been a further support individuals, with $75.21 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The company said developing lesson in ensuring that one families, and small business The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan the product became necessary protects his family, health, in achieving and protecting Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light considering the fact that building and livelihood. their goals. (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), a savings culture has become “It has become more impor- She said the plan allows for Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and more strained at this time, while tant to focus on a goal and a minimum monthly savings Merey (Venezuela). the need to save has definitely work towards while at the contribution of N5, 000 which become more of a necessity than same time ensuring you are can be increased annually. THISDAY ˾  ͵˜2021 41

   NGX All-Share Index Rises 0.5% as Market Sustains Gains Goddy Egene per cent on Monday. retain the market in the bulls’ stocks will be matched by 9.5 per cent. Total Nigeria Plc, price losers with 9.7 per cent, However, the positive trend territory as investors position intermittent profit-taking activi- Consolidated Hallmark Insur- trailed by Linkage Assurance The stock market extended its was sustained yesterday as for interim dividends. ties. Notwithstanding, we advise ance Plc and University Press Plc Plc with 9.4 per cent. Unity positive performance yesterday investors swooped on interim According to analysts, with investors to take positions in only chalked up 9.2 per cent apiece Bank Plc shed 8.0 per cent, as gains in bellwether counters dividends paying firms such the H1- 21 earnings season on fundamentally justified stocks just as Seplat and Berger Paints just as Coronation Insurance pushed the Nigerian Exchange as Seplat Energy Plc, Zenith the horizon, investors would as the unimpressive macro story Nigeria Plc garnered7.1 per cent Plc and Jaiz Bank Plc went (NGX) Limited All-Share Index Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc. be looking for clues on the remains a significant headwind and 7.0 per cent respectively. down by 5.0 per cent and (ASI) by 0.5 per cent to close In all, 28 equities appreciated sustainability of the decent for corporate earnings,” analysts Access Bank Plc, United Bank 1.7 per cent in that order. at 38,418,04. Similarly, market compared with 10 stocks that corporate earnings released had said. for Africa Plc, Custodian Invest- Meanwhile, trading activity capitalisation added N103.2 bil- depreciated. for Q1-21. A look at the price gainers’ ment Plc and Zenith Bank Plc, improved as volume and lion to close at N20.026 trillion. Market analysts had envis- “However, we expect table showed that May & Baker which are also known for the value traded rose 2.2 per cent The market, which rebounded aged a bull market, saying mixed market performance Nigeria Plc led with 9.6 per payment of interim dividend and 29.4 per cent respectively last week had opened the week expectations for half-year in the week ahead as bargain cent, trailed by UACN Property were among the gainers. to 288.9 million shares and with a marginal gain of 0.02 (H1) earnings seasons would hunting in dividend-paying Development Company Plc with Conversely, Eterna Plc led the N2.4 billion. PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF 05/07/2021

MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET QUANTITY VALUE TRADED MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET QUANTITY VALUE TRADED PRICE TRADED ( N ) PRICE TRADED ( N ) 42 WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY MARKET NEWS

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors. Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 05- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Jul-2021, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date. DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Equity Fund 154.77 156.30 0.00% Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 0.00% GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Nigeria International Debt Fund 318.27 318.27 0.00% Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Afrinvest Dollar Fund 111.28 111.28 0.00% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD [email protected] GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.74% AIICO CAPITAL LTD [email protected] Vantage Balanced Fund 2.87 2.93 0.51% Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.55% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 151.08 151.36 -2.84% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.24 3.40 -4.56% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.26 1.30 0.17% [email protected] Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 0.06% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fi[email protected] Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 3.34% Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.41 1.43 3.47% Anchoria Equity Fund 133.35 134.87 0.26% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,152.22 1,152.22 4.27% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.10 1.10 -17.23% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD [email protected] Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.39 19.97 6.90% Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.21 11.25 7.00% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 421.81 434.53 5.35% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.58% ARM Ethical Fund 38.21 39.36 13.35% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 -1.23% Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.96 0.97 -8.13% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.90% PACAM Balanced Fund 1.66 1.68 7.18% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED [email protected] PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.50 11.55 -5.23% Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.77% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Equity Fund 1.63 1.64 2.87% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.01 105.01 3.24% PACAM EuroBond Fund 111.32 113.01 1.28% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED [email protected] SCM CAPITAL LIMITED [email protected] Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.46% SCM Capital Frontier Fund 131.37 133.68 4.23% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED [email protected] SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD [email protected] Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.97 1.97 -16.50% SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 3.41% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.07 2.11 -15.40% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.83% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund 16.27 16.57 1.73% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund 135.11 136.67 1.52% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.85% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 116.99 117.76 United Capital Balanced Fund 1.28 1.30 0.18% Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund 1.89 1.89 3.36% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.08 107.08 United Capital Equity Fund 0.85 0.88 7.85% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT [email protected] United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.53% Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 United Capital Eurobond Fund 118.64 118.64 3.68% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.05 1.06 2.81% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.80% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 5.54% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.18 1.19 -1.65% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD [email protected] Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.39 1.39 -12.21% Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Zenith Equity Fund 12.86 12.97 8.39% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Ethical Fund 14.09 14.21 15.33% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 3.09% Zenith Income Fund 24.15 24.15 0.74% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.69% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.23% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,140.26 1,150.12 -0.35% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] REITS Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS REIT 124.09 2.77% FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,384.43 1,384.43 11.11% Union Homes REIT 51.54 -1.64% FBN Balanced Fund 188.95 190.25 0.68% EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FBN Halal Fund 110.94 110.94 8.31% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.38% Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 13.20 13.30 -0.13%

SIAML Pension ETF 40 124.66 127.62 3.61% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 125.91 125.91 3.54% Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund 98.78 100.89 -0.46% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 157.27 159.43 4.03% MERGROWTH ETF 17.81 17.91 FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] MERVALUE ETF 17.94 18.04 Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.30% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Debt Fund 3.95 3.95 2.19% Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.85 3.89 2.05% Legacy Equity Fund 1.57 1.61 3.37% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.95 6.03 4.47% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.18 1.18 3.61% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 17.27 17.37 6.48% Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.38% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 19.15 19.35 -6.65% Coral Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 151.68 153.68 -30.77% Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Coral Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 107.52 13.11% The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only. WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY 43 44 WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY 45 46 THISDAY ˾  ͵˜ 2021

Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØÔËÖË IMAGES Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

L-R: First Lady of , Dr Zainab Bagudu; Ondo First Lady, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu; and L-R: Former Pro Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Director Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi, at the Combined First and Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev Felix Ajakaye; Vice Second Quarter Meeting of the National Technical Working Group on Cancer Control and Prevention in, in Chancellor, Obafemi Awolwo University, Prof Eyitayo Ogunbodede and his wife, Mrs Ogunmodede; at the Abuja ..recently funeral mass for the late Prof Francisa Aladejana at the St Patrick’s Catholic cathedral, Ado-Ekiti...recently

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (left) being welcomed by APC Chieftain, Chief Ikechi Emenike President/Chairman of Council, The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Bayo Olugbemi and wife, Ambassador Uzoma Emenike for the burial of late Lady Olaocha Ohadiugha mother in-law of Chief (right) and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde during the CIBN Stakeholders’ Engagement with governor Emenike at Umule Ohuhu, Umuahia, Abia State...recently in Ibadan...recently

L-R: Commissioner for Local Government Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development Arc. Aliyu Muhammad Saifudeen; Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Senior Ibrahim lL-R; Minister of FCT, Malam Mohammed Bello; Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on INEC, Sulyman; Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; and Olofa of Offa HRM Oba Rep. Aisha Dukku; and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Rep. Muftau Muhammed Gbadamosi; during the commissioning of Kwara State Polytechnic Auditorium Complex, Abdullahi Gaya, during the 9th House of Representatives Northern Caucus Retreat in ….recently in Ilorin...recently

L-R: Wife of Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province (WAPICP) Admin, : Pastor (Mrs) Ladipo Bamidele; Wife L-R: Kwara State Commissioner of Police CP Muhammed Bagega; State Director DSS Patrick Ikenweiwe; State of Pastor in Charge of Province (WPICP), Pastor (Mrs) Olabisi Akinlabi; Wife of Assistant Pastor in Charge Commandant NSCDC Makinde Iskil Ayinla; Secretary to the State Government Prof. Mamman Saba Jubril; and of Region 2 (WAPICR), Pastor (Mrs) Oworonke Osunsan and Wife of Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; during presentation of operational vehicles and bulletproof vests to (WAPICP), Pastor (Mrs) Adetutu Olurinto during the RCCG Lagos Province 17 2021 Sister’s Convention in security agencies in the State at Government House, Ilorin...recently Lagos…recently WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY 47 48 WEDNESDAY,  Ϳ˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY NEWS FG Praises Army for Professionalism, Obedience to Civil Authority Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja professional Army, meaning Nigerians for their methods and techniques some have sustained injuries the date was chosen and set subordinated to democratic support and understanding,” of winning the hearts and while many others have been aside not only to preserve its The federal government civilian control. he said. minds in the current phase away from their families for history, but also to project yesterday commended the “The Nigerian Army, as He said the federal of operations. long periods. and educate members of the Nigerian Army for remaining part of the larger armed government appreciated and The minister also urged “I once again send my public on the activities of a highly professional security forces, has continued to commended recent efforts them to continue to condolences to the families the Army. agency subordinated to civil discharge its constitutional by individuals, community collaborate and synergise of those who died in an “It also affords us the control since 1999. roles with great success. It members, traditional leaders with other security agencies effort to safeguard the opportunity to showcase The Minister of is to the credit of the army and numerous civil society in the country as well as sovereignty of our great our contributions to the Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir that despite the current organisations, especially the friendly nations facing nation. May their gentle socio-economic and political Magashi (rtd), made the internal security challenges, youths that are cooperating similar challenges in order to souls rest in peace,” he said. developments of Nigeria,” commendation yesterday the nation’s commitments to and supporting the security enhance their current efforts. Magashi urged the Yahaya said, noting: “This on behalf of President regional and international agencies in exposing all The minister said Nigerian Army to continue year’s celebration is low key, Muhammadu Buhari at the peace and security remain agents of destruction and throughout the colonial to abide by its ethics and due to the unfortunate and grand finale of the Nigerian unshaken.” instability in the polity. era, the army was used ethos and to keep to its sad development that led to Army Day Celebration He also commended Magashi stated that as primarily for internal and rules of engagement while the death of my predecessor, (NADCEL) 2021 in Abuja. what he described as the a responsible government, expeditionary operations. ensuring that human rights the immediate past Chief of Magashi also charged the increasing understanding the federal government is “In its internal security are respected in the conduct Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim army to remain resolute in and cooperation within conscious of the challenges role, the army served as of military operations. Attahiru, and 10 others in tackling security challenges the military, as well as the being faced by the citizenry an instrument of colonial In his remarks, the a plane mishap on Friday, bedevilling the country. inter-agency cooperation in and promised that these subjugation while in its Chief of Army Staff, Maj. May 21, 2021 in Kaduna.” He commended the army the fight against terrorists would soon be resolved. expeditionary role, it was Gen. Farouk Yahaya, said: The COAS also used the for saving the country and other criminals in the “You have saved Nigeria used in World Wars I and II "This day, 6 July, is of great medium to congratulate the from disintegration and North-east. from disintegration and have as part of the allied forces significance in the history of recipients of the COAS for demonstrating a high According to him, the demonstrated a high sense that defeated Nazi Germany. the NA and indeed Nigeria. commendation awards, level of professionalism joint effort has led to the of professionalism in your It fought gallantly during the It was on this date in 1967 reinstating his resolve to in its operations. decimation of some terrorists operations. I want to assure civil war to safeguard the that the first shot was fired continue to promote merit, The minister, however, and criminals. you that this government unity of our dear nation and at Garkem, a border town celebrate gallantry and charged the army to evolve “Government services and indeed the Nigerian to guarantee our collective in present-day Cross River honour heroes. new methods of winning and private businesses people deeply appreciate peace and security,” he said. State, in what turned out He also assured the rank the support and confidence have since resumed in areas your noble sacrifices to Magashi said the federal to be the unfortunate and file of his determination of Nigerians. hitherto controlled by these safeguard our nation,” he government was also aware 30-months Nigerian Civil to bring back the glory of He said: “I am particularly terrorists. Therefore, as we said. that the achievements of the War.” Regimental Sergeant Majors happy to note that despite celebrate the achievements He charged the officers Nigerian Army also came Yahaya said in view of as custodians of discipline the army’s involvement of the Nigerian Army and and men of the Nigerian with associated costs. the significant role the and regimentation in in politics, it has since all security agencies, we Army to be proactive in According to him, some Nigerian Army played in Nigerian Army formations 1999 remained a highly would like to thank all well- evolving new strategies, soldiers have lost their lives, the resolution of the crisis, and units. LCCI: Nigerian Postal Bill will Endanger Private Investments Dike Onwuamaeze Chamber’s, “Address on their annual turnover to the unfair to courier companies, Airports Authority of Nigeria the exclusive powers granted the State of the Economy,” Universal Postal Service fund. many of which are struggling (FAAN) and airport charges, to the Public Postal Operator The Lagos Chamber of yesterday in Lagos, described She said: “We have taken to survive. Turnover would throughput charges by the (PPO) in Section 10 (1) (a), Commerce and Industry the provisions of the bill as a critical look at the bill and include companies’ debts FAAN pension funds and (b), (h), (j) and (r) of the bill (LCCI) has warned that the an impediment to sustainable we are seriously concerned (some of which the courier the NSITF, the NHF, local for “collecting, accepting, Nigerian Postal Services Bill investment in the courier about several provisions of companies may not be able government charges, signage processing, conveying and 2021 as passed by the Senate industry. the bill. The bill as passed to collect). fees of various states, etc.). delivering postal articles is replete with provisions The chamber’s concerns by the Nigerian Senate is “Besides, these companies “The industry is currently weighing up to one that would be detrimental about the bill included the replete with provisions that currently pay numerous beset with a variety of taxes kilogramme and delivering to private sector investments requirement in Section 68 are detrimental to private taxes, which include at national and sub-national postal articles with the tariff in the courier industry. (2) (b) that licensed private sector investment in the Company Income Tax, VAT levels.” of less than five times the President of the LCCI, Mrs. courier operators should courier industry. and levies by various states Mabogunje also expressed rate of postage applicable to Toki Mabogunje, during the contribute two per cent of “This provision is most of the federation, the Federal the LCCI’s discomfort with the particular weight class.” BUHARI WON’T DELAY ASSENT TO PIB, SAYS OSINBAJO demand exceeding supply, in less than 30 years! This 30 per cent. So, those in the Nigeria petroleum Danjuma Goje, North-east; approving three per cent posing an energy security is simply not realistic,” he outcomes (non-investment industry while the influx Opeyemi Bamidele, South- of operational cost as Trust risk to both producers and added. in the oil sector) will of new investments west; Stella Oduah, South- Fund for Host communities consumers. He stated that 790 million come up probably in the from second-generation east and , while the House of Barkindo added that this people worldwide did not next three, four, five years International Oil Companies North-central. Representatives approved could result in knock-on have access to electricity in when we will realise that (IOCs) is being expected. Lawan charged members five per cent. effects for both the global 2020, most of them located the lack of investment of of the conference committee The conference committee economy and geopolitics, in Sub-Saharan Africa and today will manifest in a National Assembly to meet with their of the two chambers is as there is simply no “one developing Asia, with very practical sense in our Constitutes counterparts in the House of expected to harmonise size fits all” solution to roughly 2.6 billion people inability to meet demand Committees to Representatives to enable the the percentage due to the addressing climate change. who did not have access requirements of oil and gas Harmonise PIB National Assembly to come host communities before the Instead of jettisoning fossil to clean cooking fuels, 35 industry,” he said. up with a final document final cleaning of the bill for fuels altogether, he said the per cent of whom were in He stressed the need to Meanwhile, following the on the PIB for transmission onward transmission to the deployment of cutting edge Sub-Saharan Africa, 25 per create the right balance, rejection of the certain to the executive arm of President for his assent. technologies and advanced cent in India and 15 per cent adding that the world provisions of the Petroleum government. Gbajabiamila yesterday innovations, can all be in China. is making a mistake by Industry Bill (PIB) by the He said: “The conference set up a committee for the leveraged to promote a “Climate financing for assuming that in 2050, fossil leaders of the Southern committee will meet with harmonisation of differences lower carbon future such adaptation and mitigation fuel will disappear and yield Nigeria, the two chambers of our counterparts in the in the bill. as carbon capture, utilisation, is an extremely complex the space to renewables. the National Assembly have House; the House will also He said Hon. Muhammad and storage (CCUS). process, and questions Director of the Department constituted two separate announce the composition Monguno will chair the Barkindo stated that there continue to be raised as of Petroleum Resources committees to harmonise of the conference committee, committee, with Hon. Victor are challenges to achieving to how the $100 billion per (DPR), Mr. Sarki Auwalu, the oil bill. and we hope that they Nwokolo, Hon. Ademorin net-zero emissions by 2050, year committed in the Paris in his comments said the On its part, the Senate set will swing into action Kuye, Hon. Kingsley Uju, stressing that in terms Agreement will be secured, oil and gas sector remained up a seven-man conference immediately, so that we Hon. Tijjani Yusuf, Hon. of scale and timing, the much less the even more pivotal to the Nigerian committee on the PIB. are able to have the final Ibrahim Hamza and Hon. 28-year period from now ambitious $5 trillion annual economy and had historically President of the Senate, Dr. document of the PIB which Mansur Soro as members. until 2050 is not adequate to funding needed globally as accounted for upwards of Ahmad Lawan, announced we will transmit for the Gbajabiamila also achieve net-zero emissions, set out by the net-zero 2050 80 per cent of government the composition of the presidential assent. read a communication considering the scale of plan,” he stated. revenues and over 90 per conference committee at “So, we expect our from the Speaker of the investments required, the Also speaking, Group cent in foreign exchange plenary on Tuesday. delegation hereunder the Ghanaian parliament, availability of land and the Managing Director of the earnings, since the beginning He named the committee leadership of the Senate Mr. Albert Bagbin, of his required massive expansion Nigerian National Petroleum of oil exploitation in the late members to include the Leader to engage with our intention to visit the House of the electricity grid. Corporation (NNPC), 1950s. Senate Leader, Senator colleagues in the House of of Representatives on “The last transition took Mallam Mele Kyari, stated He expressed confidence Yahaya Abdullahi, who Representatives.” Wednesday (today), to brief nearly 200 years to cycle that it is now clear that the that with the passage of will serve as Chairman; Last week, the two the House as a continuation through, and now we industry is challenged today. the PIB into law, operators Senators Mohammed chambers of the National of the collaboration between want to achieve an even “As we all know, would have the reasons to Sabo, North-west; Albert Assembly passed the age- the Nigerian and Ghanaian more ambitious transition investment has gone down consolidate their portfolios Bassey Akpan, South-south; long PIB with the Senate parliaments. THISDAY • WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021 49 NEWSXTRA South-west Govs Set up Committee on Constitution Review Deji Elumoye, Adedayo The meeting which took place at Governors Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi becomes the Speaker of the House amendment. ments and we resolved that we will Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Transcorp Hotel, Abuja lasted for over and his counterpart, who is of Representatives. According to him, the committee present a common position as regards two hours. He described the inability to hold is made of up senators led by the Abuja the Chairman of Southern Governors to amendment to constitution. And Governors in attendance were Dapo Forum and South-west Governors meeting since that time as unfortunate, caucus Chairman Senator Opeyemi in order to achieve this, we set up a Abiodun, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Seyi Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu who presided. while assuring that the development Bamidele; House of Representatives committee, the committee made of The six governors of the South-west, Makinde and Gboyega Oyetola, of Akeredolu, earlier in his opening would not repeat itself. caucus Chairman, Hon. Femi Fakaye up senators led by the caucus chair- yesterday set up a committee on Ogun, Lagos, Oyo and Osun states, remarks, said issues set for discussions Reading the resolution shortly after and attorneys of the south-west states. man and House of Representatives Constitution Review, after a meeting respectively. include, gender equality, federal the closed doors meeting, the governor Akeredolu said, “South-west gov- caucus chairman and attorneys of the behind closed doors with South-west Also present was the Ekiti State structure in governance and fiscal explained that they deliberated with ernors held a meeting with members south west states. The committee is federal lawmakers. Governor and Chairman of Nigeria decentralisation, state Police, amongst the lawmakers on several areas of of the House of Representatives and to harmonise our position so that we others. interest, especially constitutional senators from South -west. At the can present it when necessary before He recalled that the last time amendments and they resolved to meeting we discussed so many areas the two House and at the end of the Bribery Video: Court Orders Ganduje to such meeting was held was when set up a committee in order to present of interest, but most importantly we day have a constitutional amendment Pay N800,000 to Daily Nigerian Publisher they wanted to decide on who a common position as regards to the deliberated on constitutional amend- have our serious input.”

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano filed an application at the court through his counsel, Offiong Offiong, A High Court has ordered seeking to discontinue the case. the state Governor, Abdullahi During the hearing of the case Ganduje, to pay N800,000 to the yesterday, counsel to Ja’afar, Utum publisher of an online newspaper, Eteng and counsel to Penlight Media Daily Nigerian, Ja’afar Ja’afar, over Limited, publisher of Daily Nigerian, the viral dollar bribery video. MB Azumi, did not object to the A series of the secretly recorded application, but demanded the sum videos in 2018 had shown a figure of N400 million as part of terms to alleged to be Ganduje pocketing discontinue the suit. wads of dollars allegedly taken as The lawyers also demanded an kickbacks. apology, which they said should be The governor had denied the published in national dailies, as well videos, saying they were doctored. as a pre-action letter. He blamed it on mischief makers In his ruling, the presiding judge, who were bent on tarnishing his Justice Suleiman Na-mallam, granted reputation. the sum of N400,000 each to Ja’afar He had also gone to the court and his company. in an attempt to clear his name, The judge was, however, silent while asking the publisher to pay on the prayer by the defendants N3 billion in damages. for the governor to make a public On June 28, 2021, the governor apology in national dailies. Four PDP House Members Defect to APC Udora Orizu in Abuja Hon. Suleiman Gumi. Their defection is coming few days after Governor Bello Matawalle Four members of the Peoples defected to the ruling APC. Democratic Party (PDP) from In a letter signed by Hon. Sulei- SIGNED AND SEALED… Zamfara State, in the House of man Gumi and read at plenary by Representatives yesterday defected the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, L- R: Company lawyer, Mr. Sadiq Mahmood; Brand Ambassador, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi; and Chief Executive Officer, Vento Furniture, to the All Progressives Congress the lawmakers hinged their decision Mr. Usman Abdullahi, at the unveiling of the Adeniyi as brand ambassador in Abuja…yesterday (APC). to leave the PDP, on crisis within it, The lawmakers are: Hon. Bello which led to dissolution of the state Hassan Shinkafi, Hon. Ahmed chapter by the national leadership Bakura, Hon. Ahmed Shehu and of the party. Gbajabiamila: Only Authentic Electoral Bill will Be Passed Membership Registration Continues in Adedayo Akinwale and Udora from the committee. agreed electronically transmitted an assignment, they will do their Orizu in Abuja Gbajabiamila’s statement was election result have been changed work and present its report and Imo, Kwara, Ogun, Rivers, Says APC in response to a point of order to manually transmitted. I think house of as a whole will vote on raised by a member, Hon. Ugonna my privilege has been breached.’’ that report clause by clause. Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja registered in these States can The Speaker of the House of Repre- Ozurigbo, who said his constituents Responding, the Speaker said “Only the committee’s authentic purchase forms for congresses, party sentatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila have inundated him with calls, he had made it a habit not to report like it has always been, will The All Progressives Congress (APC) office elections and convention. For yesterday debunked reports that the demanding why the lawmakers respond to every media report, take hold on the floor of the house, has approved the continuation of congresses in Rivers State, all those Electoral Act Amendment Bill has would refuse electronic transfer of as the committee saddled with nothing more, nothing less. the party’s membership registration who have purchased forms in the been altered, declaring that only election results. the responsibility of working on “I have asked the chairman of revalidation and update exercise past will be allowed to participate in the authentic bill will be passed. Ozurigbo said: “A number of the Electoral Act was yet to submit that committee; she is not aware in Imo, Kwara, Ogun and Rivers the congresses on the presentation of He decried reports that the Nigerian have been calling me to a report to the House. of any such. So it remains on the states. the bank teller as proof of payment.” lawmakers were planning to express worry about the alteration “I really don’t want to speak to a realm of speculations and we will be The National Secretary of the Akpanudoedehe added that remove electronic transmission of to the electoral act. I don’t know the report that has not been submitted waiting until the committee submits Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention registration materials have been election results from the Electoral information going around where to this house. We have procedures, its reports. Like I said that will be Planning Committee of the party, adequately deployed to the listed Act amendment bill, saying that they said that we carefully amended time-tested,” he said. done before we close on the 14th Senator John Akpanudoedehe, states. they were yet to receive the report Section 50 Subsection 2 that the “The committee has been given (of July).” disclosed this in a statement issued “Any attempt to deprive yesterday, following the recom- intending registrants will be dealt mendation of the membership with accordingly in line with the North-east Govs Lament Delay in Execution of Mambilla Hydro Power Project registration appeals committee. provisions of the APC constitution He said: “With this approval, the and guidelines for the exercise.” Wole Ayodele in Jalingo seriousness it deserves. The governors however called on region and across the borders. membership registration, revalida- He stressed that all Nigerians The governors, in the communi- the diplomatic and donor agencies The forum however expressed tion and register update exercise who are desirous of joining the The North-east governors have que signed by their Chairman of to activate the process of transmit- displeasure over the lack of col- in the four states will continue for progressive fold are welcome to lamented the delays in the execution the forum and governor of Borno ting from humanitarian activities to laboration between the North East two weeks. take advantage of this window and of the Mambilla Power Project in State, Prof. Babagana Zulum urged stabilisation and durable solutions Development Commission and “Those who have not been register as members of the APC. the President to establish a Special within the region, saying this will the states in the region just as it In a communique released at the Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to address ensure sustainability and give the described the execution of ongoing end of their meeting held in Jalingo, the encumberances and bring the people the opportunity to help projects of the Commission as very Vento Furniture Unveils Adeniyi the Taraba State capital, yesterday, project to reality. themselves out of poverty. slow. the governors noted with dismay The forum stated that it has noted The governors decried the effects The governors commended the as Brand Ambassador the contractual encumberances that the general improvement in the of drugs and narcotic substances in Federal Character Commission but have continued to stall the take-off security situation in the region and the region and the extent to which it noted with dismay the shortfall in Daniel Agada Furniture, which is designed to bring maximum comfort to every home, and actualisation of the project and called for continuous collaboration has fueled insurgency and called for the number of applicants from the like the satisfaction you get after urged President Muhammadu between the security agencies to support in stopping drug trafficking region in the recent recruitments Vento Furniture, a premium furniture reading his (Adeniyi’s) literary Buhari to accord the project the maintain the gains recorded so far. as well as enforcing control in the into some federal agencies. company in Nigeria, has unveiled works.” the Chairman, Editorial Board of Ocheja further added that the THISDAY, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, unveiling of Adeniyi was the first Gunmen Abduct Four Ekiti Farmers, Demand N50m Ransom as its brand ambassador. in recognising the social value of According to the Head, Strategy intellectuals and the audience they Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti demanded for N50 million ransom to they were abducted along with two The police spokesman also denied and Communication of the company, influence in society. release the people being held hostage. others and taken to an unknown knowledge of the N50 million being Mr. Joshua Ocheja, the choice of In accepting the offer, Adeniyi A source in the town told journal- destination. requested by the abductors from the Adeniyi was informed by his rich who expressed surprise that a Gunmen suspected to be kidnap- ists yesterday that that the farmers When contacted, the Police Public abductees’ families. professional pedigree. writer could be picked to occupy pers have abducted four farmers at who were: Gbadamosi Sarafa, Yinka Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, “Our men are in the bush work- “The intellectual space is deserving a space meant only for celebrities, Ikosun-Ekiti, Moba Local Government Adeniran and two others identified as Mr. Sunday Abutu, confirmed the ing hard to rescue the farmers. We of recognition. Olusegun Adeniyi has said he was delighted that Vento Area of Ekiti State. Seun and Jimoh, were all kidnapped kidnapping. are working in conjunction with distinguished himself as a writer and considered him worthy to be their It was gathered that the farmers at the farm settlement between, while Abutu stated that the Command Amotekun Corps and local hunters. journalist, who has authored several brand ambassador. were kidnapped while working on working inside their farms. had deployed policemen in the sur- “We believe that with the level books that are of premium content. “This is particularly special for their farmlands in the area around He further explained that two of rounding bushes at Ikosun Ekiti up of security measures we have put Besides, Adeniyi’s style of writing me because my late father was 5.30pm on Monday. those kidnapped, Seun and Jimoh to the Kwara border for thorough in place, we are sure that we will and public engagements resonate a carpenter. So, now you have a The captors were said to have were said to be truck operators combing of the sprawling forest rescue them and probably get the with the premium quality of Vento carpenter’s son selling furniture.” contacted the families yesterday and working in the farm as at the time region . perpetrators of this dastardly act.” 50 THISDAY • WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021 NEWSXTRA Kaduna School Confirms Abduction of 121 Students

premises in Damishi village, Jangadi who came to our rescue and actually places. Some of them in the course “When we add the number with Bandits assures of safety of students said the bandits had contacted the they respond. They came in and they of taking them away, they escaped the number of those recovered, we school authorities. met the bandits who were already from the bandits and came back to discovered that the number is exactly John Shiklam in Kaduna Kaduna. The students were abducted on He said the bandits confirmed that going away with a number of our the school. the number of boarders we have in Monday when the gunmen, said the children were with them and students and they start exchanging “So the total number of students the school. The bandits have not made The President of the Kaduna Baptist were safe, adding that the bandits fire.” we recovered yesterday were 28. “ any demands.” Convention, Rev. Ishaya Jangadi, to be about 70 invaded the school. Speaking in an interview with were yet to make any demand. According to him, “In the course Speaking further Jangadi said, He said the meeting with the yesterday confirmed that 121 students Jangadi said “some of the children of exchanging fire, they lost two of “Today, by the grace of God, we parents was to calm them and solicit were abducted by bandits at the journalists after a meeting with parents of the abducted children at the school spoke with us” and they (the children) the soldiers. had a call from the bandits. They for their support in ensuring the release Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, counted themselves and said 121 of “We have 154 boarding students assured us that our children are well. of the students. them were with the bandits. in the school. After the exchange “We had the privilege of speak- “We met with the parents to “On Monday morning we received of fire between the bandits and the ing with a few of them. They (the appreciate them for their patient, Falana Commends Lagos Assembly for a distress information that bandits security personnel, we came to the students) counted themselves in the understanding and calmness and have entered our school. school and we recovered 28 students . jungle and they gave us information to also solicit for their support in Outlawing Media Parade of Suspects “We alerted the security officers “Some of them hide in different that they are 121 with the bandits. this trying moments. Sunday Ehigiator suspects to presumption of innocence guaranteed by Section 36 of the Human rights activist, Mr. Femi Constitution and Article 7 of the UK Parliament to Debate Kanu’s Repatriation to Nigeria Falana (SAN), has commended the African Charter on Human and Lagos State House of Assembly for Peoples Rights (Ratification and The United Kingdom Parliament has In a schedule posted on its will ask the British government on Nigeria against his will, and (3) of unanimously passing an amended Enforcement) Act (Cap A9, Laws disclosed that it would discuss issues website, the UK Parliament said it Kanu’s repatriation to Nigeria. any assistance being provided to him version of the Criminal Justice Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. surrounding the repatriation of the would discuss “the circumstances “To ask Her Majesty’s Government by the High Commission in Abuja,” of the state barring the police from He also noted that the act of leader of the Indigenous People of surrounding the transfer of Kanu what assessment they have made of the document reads. henceforth parading suspects before parading suspects was equally Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. to Nigeria against his will,” among (1) the alleged role of the government The document also states that the the media. discriminatory as only lowly placed Kanu, who is also a British citizen, other issues. of in the detention and alleged question, tagged ‘HL1665’ tabled on He also urged the Lagos State criminal suspects are exposed to was arrested abroad and extradited According to the document, Lord mistreatment of Nigerian activist July 5, 2021 will be “due for answer” Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu media parades by the police and to Nigeria to face trial for alleged Alton of Liverpool will be raising Nnamadi Kanu, (2) the circumstances by the “relevant government depart- to speedily assent to the bill. other law enforcement agencies. treason. the issue at the House of Lords and surrounding the transfer of Kanu to ment” by July 19, 2021. In a signed statement issued yes- terday, the senior lawyer particularly singled out Section 9(A) of the newly passed bill which states that: “As from the commencement of this law, the police shall refrain from parading any suspect before the media,” for commendation. According to him, the bill has adopted the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 on the humane treatment of criminal suspects, and has also outlawed the discriminatory and illegal parade of criminal suspects by law enforcement officers in the State. Falana said the practice of parading suspects was illegal, as it constitutes a gross violation of the fundamental rights of criminal

CAN Demands Probe of Security Lapses in Kaduna Students’ Abduction Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has charged President Muham- madu Buhari to summon security chiefs in the country to explain why criminals are operating with ease in Nigeria without being brought to justice. In a statement issued yesterday by CAN President, Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, the Christian body said Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for anyone. He said the country is gradually becoming a den of kidnappers and other criminals who are operating almost unhindered. Against the background of the kidnap of the 180 pupils of Bethel Baptist College in Kaduna by the Boko Haram terrorists or bandits last Monday, the CAN president said: “President Buhari should summon all the security chiefs in the country and cause them to explain why the criminals are operating with ease in Nigeria without being brought to book.” With regards to the recent kidnap of some students, Ayokunle expressed CAN condemnation of the abduction of the school children and other kidnappings in the country.

Funeral Obsequies for Kunle Akerele Begin The burial programme for Mr. Akinkunle Akerele, who passed on recently has been released by the family. According to the statement by the family, the service of songs holds at 5pm on Thursday (tomorrow), July 8, 2021 at his Gwarimpa, Abuja residence. Burial service is at 10 am on Friday, July 9 at African Church, Durumi, Abuja, followed by interment at Gudu Cemetery, by Apo Legislative Quarters, in the FCT. THISDAY • WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021 51 NEWSXTRA Senate Flays Unlawful Arrest of Nigerians By Benin Republic

Deji Elumoye in Abuja the 2021 supplementary appropriations Matters, and States and Local 52 of the Senate Rules, Odebiyi Government Area of for the State Government calling on the bill today. Governments to interface with the recalled the numerous reports of demanding the reversal of the land Federal Government to immediately The Senate yesterday flayed the Acting on a motion brought before Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the alleged encroachments into Nigeria’s encroachment by the government of secure the release of Nigerian citizens unlawful encroachment and arrest it at plenary, Federal Ministry of Justice and National territory by authorities of the Republic the Republic of Benin. currently languishing in detention in of Nigerians by the authorities of the the upper chamber directed its Border Commission to urgently put of Benin, which, according to him, He also noted that the arrest of the Republic of Benin as a result of Republic of Benin. Committees on Foreign Affairs, in place the necessary mechanism “has become increasingly disturbing.” these Nigerians was based on the their resistance to the continued This is just as it agreed to consider Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal that would provide lasting solutions The Senator quoted recent media allegation that they are resisting encroachment; to the unlawful arrest of Nigerians reports indicating that, “gendarmes” encroachment into Nigerian land According to him, the continuous and encroachment. from the Republic of Benin crossed through Igbokofi village in Yewa-North “unchecked” Egress and Ingress of Anyim Harps on Equity, Justice, Senate’s decision to intervene was illegally into Nigeria territory to carry LGA of Ogun State. persons at the different entry points sequel to the adoption of a point of out the arrest of one Pastor Kunle The Senator added that the and borders between Nigeria and the Fairness for Social Cohesion order raised by Senator Tolu Odebiyi Garb and Mr. Benjamin Amosu, allegations of encroachment have Republic of Benin – the country’s (APC, Ogun West). his interpreter, who are residents of been flayed by the government of closest neighbour, are largely the result Emameh Gabriel in Abuja for Health, Allied Legal and Demo- Coming under Order 42 and Igbokofi village in Yewa North Local the state as published in a release from of the porosity of the country’s borders. graphical Development Research and Former Senate President, Senator Training of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Anyim Pius Anyim, has identified University, Akwa, Anambra State. equity, justice and fairness as the He said conflicts are “usually borne NLC Faults El-Rufai’s Planned Probe of Kaduna Labour Protest essential recipes to build a nation out out of misunderstanding between or President of the NLC, Comrade one of the core principles of law stated their feet in Kaduna.” of multi-ethnic nationalities, even as among communities or ethnic groups Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Ayuba Wabba, said that the warning that one could not be a judge in one’s The NLC’s statement reads he called for deliberate planning and that hitherto came together to form strike was purely a labour dispute case, adding that “the NLC did not in part: “Our attention has been effort at all stages the national life of a modern nation.” The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and industrial relations action that see how El-Rufai and the Kaduna drawn to the Judicial Commission Nigeria. Anyim made this revelation According to the former lawmaker, has described the setting up of the had been legitimised by the 1999 State Government could be judge in of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna yesterday as the guest speaker at the “Research has shown that pre-modern Judicial Commission of Inquiry by Constitution. this matter and we would still have State Government to look into the ‘International Research Conference nation differences will remain a trigger the Kaduna State Government to Wabba said that it was equally justice given his repeated boast that remote and immediate causes of On ‘50 Years Post for conflicts except if the modern state investigate the warning strike action important to point out that the he would deal with labour leaders the warning strike action by the Nigerian Civil War: Issues, is properly welded together by equity, by the NLC from May 16 - 19, 2021, Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Nasiru and those who took part in the strike NLC from May 16 - 19, 2021, its Challenges and Prospects Towards fairness, justice and equality, and as a joke taken too far. El-Rufai, is a party to this dispute. action....and that by the time he was legality and the impact on the state National Integration’, Justice, Peace at times by human and economic A statement signed by the According to the NLC’s president, done, they would never again set and other entities. and Security’, organised by Centre developments.” 52 THISDAY • WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021 NEWSXTRA ASR Africa Grants N2.5bn to Kwara Govt to Build Oncology Centre

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative Systems Infrastructure initial grant. commence on-site before the end The executive director said: “I will and development for the benefit of framework. We are moving to site as (ASR Africa), a brainchild of the founder The construction of the centre was of august. like to commend and congratulate the people. early as August and the chairman, of the BUA Group, Mr. Abdul Samad recently awarded to Kwara State by the Speaking at the presentation of Governor Abdulrazaq for all the “The ASR Africa oncology and Abdul Samad Rabiu has mandated Rabiu, and the Governor of Kwara ASR Africa from its annual $100 million the grant and visit to the proposed achievements and development diagnosis centre in Ilorin is a stand- that the oncology center must be State, Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Africa Fund for Social Development site, the Group Executive Director of his administration has brought to alone facility dedicated to oncology completed before the end of 2022.” have announced the construction of and Renewal (AFSDR). BUA Group, Mr. Kabiru Rabiu, who Kwara State in the healthcare sector, diagnosis, research and treatment, and AbdulRazaq, in his response, the largest oncology and diagnostic Rabiu, who received the design for represented the founder of the BUA’s infrastructure and education. This aligns this would go a long way in bridging thanked Founder/Executive Chairman centre in West Africa to be built with the oncology center from AbdulRazaq, Group, commended the governor with the vision of Mr. Abdul Samad the gap in cancer research, diagnosis of BUA Group and initiator of ASR N2.5billion ASR Africa Tertiary Health said that the construction would of Kwara State for his commitment Rabiu through the ASR Africa Initiative. and treatment in West Africa. Africa, Mr. Abdul Samad Rabiu, for to healthcare development, social We are proud to partner serious and “We appreciate the seriousness with the grant and noted that “Kwara is infrastructure, maternal and child committed governments and entities which Abdulrahman and his team lucky to have the attention of Abdul Group Calls for Electronic health, and education, which were to make critical interventions and have put to kick start the project in Samad Rabiu, the BUA Group and Transmission of Election Results also the pillars of ASR Africa’s vision. sustainable impact in healthcare line with our mutual accountability the ASR Africa. Daniel Agada cerned to hear that there are attempts NLC Demands Transformation of NNPC to Limited Liability Entity to introduce into the Electoral Bill 2021 clauses that undermine electoral ReclaimNaija Grassroots Network, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by own shares. consideration. This is commendable. comprising grassroots community integrity and the expressed will of the two Chambers of the National The NLC noted that the PIB was “Congress is, however, concerned development and professional as- Nigerian citizens, whose interests Assembly and urged the National promoted by the government as an that unlike the Senate representa- sociations across the country, has the legislators are supposed to be The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Assembly to handle with utmost care instrument for increased transpar- tion of Clause 53, Clause 53 of called on members of the National upholding in the National Assembly,” has asked that the Nigerian National the sensitive issue of the unbundling ency, services delivery and global the PIB as passed by the House Assembly to ensure that the outcome the group said. Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of the NNPC. competitiveness in the Nigeria’s oil of Representatives does not seem of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Continuing further, the network should be transformed into a public A statement that was signed and gas sector. to sufficiently capture this desire Bill should reflect the views of the added that, “We join other well- liability company (PLC) where every by the NLC’s President, Comrade “This desire to make the Nigerian of the Nigerian people,” he said. Nigerian people for free, fair and meaning Nigerians to demand the Nigerian could own shares. Ayuba Wabba, canvassed that the people stakeholders in the com- The NLC stated that such flaw credible elections. following: The NLC made this demand NNPC should be transformed into monwealth of the country appears to in the amendment is a major blight In a plea addressed to members “Electronic Transmission of when it reacted to the passage of a PLC where every Nigerian can have fared quite well in the Senate’s in the PIB. of the lawmakers’ Joint Committee Results - Section 50 (2): We demand on INEC and Electoral Matters, the the electronic transmission of results network noted that, “the Nigerian from the polling units and reject any citizens have, over the years, constantly attempt to endorse manual transmis- Bill on Slaughtering, Breeding, Ranching of Donkey Divides Senators expressed their desire for an Electoral sion of results. “Drastic Reduction in Campaign Act that safeguards electoral integrity, Deji Elumoye in Abuja Abdullahi Yahaya. Legislative List. may make laws for the Federation Finance Limits - Section 88: We reject free and fair elections in the country.” Raising point of order 43 of the He said further action on the bill or any part thereof with respect to the attempt to astronomically increase “We want an Electoral Act that Senate Rules before the Senate would invariably make the Senate (a) the health, safety and welfare the limit for campaign expenses. This The Senate was yesterday sharply puts an end to electoral fraud and Leader could lead debate on the going against the laws of the land of persons employed to work in is because the high cost of running divided over the debate on a bill to malpractices. The Electoral Act must bill, Senate Minority Leader, Eyin- by dabbling into issues that are on factories, offices or other premises for office is one of the reasons why regulate the slaughtering, breeding protect the mandate of Nigerian naya Abaribe, drew the attention of the residual list of the constitution or in inter-state transportation and disadvantaged groups in our country and ranching of donkey in the citizens and make sure that their his colleagues to some provision in meant for legislative actions of state commerce, including the training, such as women, youths, persons with country. votes count. the constitution on why the Senate House of Assemblies and local supervision and qualification of disability and low-income earners are The bill for an Act to regulate the “It should also be one that ensures should not go ahead with debate government councils. such persons; (b) the regulation of not able to contest for public office. slaughter of donkey and establish the a level-playing ground for citizens on the bill. According to him “Section 4(4a) of ownership and control of business “It also contributes to electoral fraud breeding and ranching of the animal and not one that favours the socio- Insisting that the bill is a violation the constitution says: ‘The National enterprises throughout the federa- and godfatherism so that sometimes through the export certification value economically privileged sections of the of some provisions in the constitu- Assembly shall legislate on: any tion for the purpose of promoting, the candidate that ends up emerging chain to mitigate the extinction of society. All these were expressed in the tion, Abaribe said: “I will expect that matter in the Concurrent Legisla- encouraging or facilitating such is the one who spent the most money donkey and for related matter, recent public hearings and consultations as a parliament, we should look tive List set out in the first column ownership and control by citizens and not necessarily the best candidate,” which sparked the debate, was carried out by National Assembly. at the constitution before certain of Part II of the second schedule of Nigeria; (c) the establishment it reasons. sponsored by the Senate Leader, “We are, therefore, gravely con- things are put up here.” to this constitution to the extent of research centres for agricultural Making reference to Section prescribed in the second column studies; and (d) the establishment 4 second schedule of the 1999 opposite thereto. of institutions and bodies for the Constitution, Abaribe noted that “Part 17-20 of the second schedule promotion or financing of industrial, there are 68 items in the Exclusive 17 states: ‘The National Assembly commercial or agricultural projects. Alleged N5.2bn Fraud: Court Remands ex-JAMB Registrar in Prison

Alex Enumah in Abuja (ICPC) – said Ojerinde committed He said Ojerinde had been the alleged offences, contained in arraigned and granted bail by the charge, between from when the court in Minna, in respect of A Federal High Court in Abuja has he served as the Registrar of the which he was made to surrender ordered that a former Registrar of the National Examination Council his international passport. Joint Admission and Matriculation (NECO), though his years in JAMB, Olorunnishoa said since the Board (JAMB), Professor Lawrence till 2021. hearing in the case before the court Adedibu Ojerinde, be remanded in Ojerinde pleaded not guilty when in Minna was scheduled for today prison custody. the charge was read to him. (Wednesday), the court should grant Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a His lawyer, Mr. Peter Olorun- the client temporary bail to enable ruling yesterday, ordered that nishola (SAN) subsequently informed him to attend the proceedings in Ojerinde be kept in a correctional the court about a bail application he Niger State and return on a later facility pending the hearing of his filed and served on the prosecution. date for his bail application. bail application, scheduled for July 8. Olorunnishola however sought Relying on Section 165(1() of Justice Egwuatu gave the ruling time to react to the counter-affidavit the Administration of Criminal after Ojerinde was arraigned on an filed by lawyer to the prosecution, Justice Act (ACJA) that allows 18-count charge, marked: FHC/ Mr. Ebenezer Shogunle, which the the court the discretion to grant ABJ/CR/97/2021, in which he defence lawyer said was served on bail, Olorunnishola argued that was accused, among others, of him late. the purpose of bail was to ensure complicity in the diversion of public The defence lawyer told the court a defendant attends court and not funds estimated at over N5.2billion. his client was also standing trial punished or keep such a defendant The prosecuting agency – the before a High Court in Minna in in government’s confinement. Independent Corrupt Practices and Niger State in a similar case, which He said his client was ready to Other Related Offences Commission would be heard today. stand trial and would not run away. He prayed the court to allow the defendant to remain on the bail earlier granted him. Olorunishola told the court earlier that he had written the ICPC Chairman and sought an audience, with the possibility of a plea-bargain, but was told his client must appear in court. He added that the ICPC gave the impression that it was no longer interested in a plea-bargain. Responding, Shogunle acknowl- edged filing a counter-affidavit against the bail application, which he had served on the defence. Shogunle did not object to Olorun- nishola’s request for time to react to the counter-affidavit but opposed the defence lawyer’s application that his client be allowed to remain on the administrative bail, earlier granted him by the ICPC pending the hearing of his bail application. Shogunle said no law supports the defence’s request for a temporary bail. WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY 53 54 WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 • THISDAY THISDAY ˾˜  Ϳ˜ͺ͸ͺ͹ 55 Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email [email protected]  0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY Okagbare won the eŸent in 20ŗŜ and 20ŗŝ but aced her biggest test eŸer at the eŸent S’Africa’s Simbine Erases Fasuba's on Tuesday. While the apele-born sprint šueen ailed to win or the third time in Budapestǰ Okagbare howeŸer returned 15-year-old 100m African Record with a personal seasonȇs bestǰ her ęth legal run inside ŗŗ seconds this season and 2řrd Okagbare races to new 10.89 personal season’s best in 100m oŸerall since she ęrst broke ŗŗ imbine shaŸed oě a hun- o the ęeld that the blue ribband returned to complete a double he igerianǰ looking to seconds at the ŸiŸa rand ri¡ Duro Ikhazuagbe dreth o a second rom the ş.Ş5 eŸent in the Far ast will be a in 20.25secs. Oduduru hit the make it a hatȬtrick o ŗ00m in rystal alaceǰ London in seconds Fasuba clocked at the tough call. ęnish line in 20.řŞ or the wins at the meeting could uly 20ŗ2. Oluso“i detokunbo Fasuba’s 200Ŝ Doha rand ri¡ in atar. igeria’s DiŸine Oduduru bronze medal. not race past two amaicansǰ Okagbare will now head to ŗ5-year reign as rica’s astest With barely a month to the who was touted as possibly the he race as OduduruȂs ęrst 20ŗŜ io Ol¢mpics double sprint the tade Louis ŗŗ stadium in man ended yesterday with start o the athletics eŸents o the man to erase Fasuba’s rican since a¢ řŗ. championǰ laine hompsonȬ Monaco or the Herculis epter outh rica’s kani imbine Tokyo 2020 Olympic amesǰ record ater he scorched to a n the omenȂs ŗ00mǰ erah ǻŗ0.ŝŗǼ and hell¢Ȭnn Diamond League meeting on stepping into the saddle as Blessing Okagbare raced to a raserȬr¢ce ǻŗ0.Ş2Ǽ. Friday with her sight set on imbine running at the IstŸan ş.ŞŜ seconds ęnish to win the becoming the ęrst igerian the new king o speed in the yulai Memorial meeting in  ŗ00m title in 20ŗşǰ ne ŗ0.Şş seconds personal ellow ricanǰ Ÿor¢ oastȇs seasonȇs best to place ourth arieȬ ose a ou who ran ŗ0.ŞŜ nay rican woman to break continent with a new ş.ŞŚ Budapestǰ Hungary on Tuesdayǰ ęnished third in the 200m 22 seconds in the hal lap race. seconds. sent a strong signal to the rest race in Budapest as imbine in the ŗ00m eŸent. seconds placed third. EURO 2020...EURO 2020... Italy Beat Spain to Book Final Ticket tal¢ beat pain on penalties to reach the uro 2020 ęnal ater an enthralling semiȬęnal at a noisy Wembley. ter lŸaro orataȇs penalty was saŸedǰ orginho strolled up to score and set up a ęnal with either ngland or Denmark in London on unday. ederico hiesa looked as i he had sent taly Ȭ who are unbeaten in řř games Ȭ to the ęnal in normal time with a delightul curled ęnish to cap oě a šuick counter. But orata stepped oě the bench to slot an ešualiser Italy players celebrating defeating Spain 4-2 in penalty shootout after with ŗ0 minutes to go ater regulation and added time ended 1-1...last night a one-two with Dani Olmo. But the uŸentus orwardȇs penalty miss in the shootout proŸed costly as pain lost a Enlandǰ enmark Semi-ęnal semi-ęnal or the ęrst time in their history. Live on StarTimes The England versus Denmark needed to signal their return Fears about an empty or second semi final of Euro 2020 to take their rightful place in šuiet crowd proŸed unounded at 8 pmtonight at the Wembley European football. despite tickets still being on Stadium will air live and in HD A place in Wednesday’s sale during the dayǰ and with on StarTimes World Football semi-final against Denmark at ans unable to Ěy rom either channel (English commentary) home in Wembley Stadium is country without šuarantining and the Premium Sports channel the reward for the two inspiring Olusoji Fasuba...African record finally rested or too long to watch the game. (French commentary) on Basic performances in both the Last and Smart bouquets. 16 and in the quarter final. With a semi-final match “StarTimes subscribers are TOKYO 2020 against Denmark on Wednesday, assured of uninterrupted viewing England will fancy themselves experience as our transmissions as the favourites for Euro 2020's are weather-friendly, which Eight NBA Stars Dominate D’Tigers’ 15-man List final and hopefully, finally end means subscribers won’t suffer Number one overall draft in their 55-year wait for silverware. signal loss when it’s raining,”PR Ogwumike three sisters eye history with Nigeria at the Olympics 2012, 2016 WNBA Most Valuable A 2-0 victory against long-time Manager, StarTimes Nigeria, Player and current Los Angeles rivals Germany in the round of Lazarus Ibeabuchi, concluded. After weeks of camping, D’Tigers Ekpe Udoh and Stanley Okoye Australia, Germany and Italy Yesterday’s first semi final Head Coach, Mike Brown, has who has been a constant feature following the conclusion of the Sparks power forward, Nneka the last 16 and a 4-0 thumping Ogwumike has been penciled of Ukraine in the quarter-finals between Italy and Spain was pruned the 49-man list to 15 in the team since 2015. Olympics Qualifying Tourna- aired live on StarTime ahead of the friendly series lined A member of the 2015 Afrobas- ment. down alongside Chinenye were the result the Three Lions up for the team just before the ket team, Mike Gbinije made the In the roster for Nigeria’s Ogwumike who had previously 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. cut with Chima Moneke who senior women’s team also represented the United States of The 15-man list is made up has been impressive for the team released yesterday, the Og- America at the U-18 and U-19 HiFL 2021 Round of 16: LAUTECH of eight NBA stars headlined since making his debut during wumike sisters are on the categories. by Detroit Piston Centre, Jahlil the 2021 Afrobasket qualifiers. threshold of history after the Erica completes the list of the Okafor who is in line to make his Brown revealed that the final trio were listed in the 15-man Ogwumike sisters who may Set to Shut Down FUTMINNA international debut for Nigeria. 12-man list will be named days provisional list submitted to the be making history as siblings LT unters will aĴempt  ports and ntertain- Miami Heat’s trio of Gabe before their trip to Tokyo. Nigeria Basketball Federation playing for the same national to shut down the FT  ment arketing Limitedǰ r. Vincent, Chikezie ‘KZ’ Okpala Nigeria is grouped alongside by Head Coach, Otis Hughley. team at the Olympic Games. Transormers in Ogbomoso as oodness Onye“iaku said loŸers and 2020 NBA draft pick, Pre- matches in the ound o ŗŜ o o ootball will be thrilled at the cious Achiuwa have also been the 202ŗ igher nstitutions talents on display in this year’s pencilled down for the last phase Football League ǻ iFLǼ kicks edition. of preparation with Utah Jazz’s Tread Softly, Ex-International, Kingsley oě today. “We are happy that HiFL has Miye Oni. cross our centresǰ teams now set some records regarding Minnesota Timberwolves’ Josh Onye, Counsels Siasia spread across eight uniŸersities the calibre o players that the Okogie and Metu Chimezie of Femi Solaja him. up in ŗşŞ5 and also played at will hope or aŸourable score league is producing. Sacramento Kings will be making In the atermathǰ the ige- both the World up as well as lines that will put them in good “couts across the country are a return to the team following rian sports ministry came out the Olympics and also leading standing going into the second now paying greater aĴention to their exploits at the 2019 FIBA outlining behind-the-scenes the country to an impressiŸe World Cup in China where the Former team-mate o amson leg o the matches. the games in order to identiy youngsters helped Nigeria secure assistance it oěered to raise podium ęnish at both 200Ş It would be recalled that talentsǰ particularly or students iasia in the Flying aglesǰ unds or the embaĴled ormer and 20ŗŜ Olympics are worthy an Olympics ticket alongside Ike ingsley Onyeǰ has adŸised LT unters šualięed who haŸe chosen the path o Iroegbu. coach to appeal at . o commendationǰȄ remarked rom roup  alongside FT growing a career in ootball. him to maintain a šuiet Onyeǰ beĴer known as Onye. Jordan Nwora’s fairytale disposition in the atermath o Tigers and IL arines “We sincerely thank our adventure continues with another ȁMature’ who liŸes in the  He howeŸer berated iasia while FTI Transormers sponsors including tanbicIBTǰ the latest ruling in his appeal adŸised iasia to keep mute or e¡traŸagance and some- chance to be at the Olympics. at the ourt o rbitration šualięed rom roup B with iŸea enǰ inimie and Hi- Nwora whose team, Milwaukee as public statements on the times youthul e¡uberance in B obles. Ÿersa or their support. To our Bucks is heading to the NBA or ports ǻǼ. issue are more in“urious than public statements. He pleaded iasiaǰ a ormer uper In other round o ŗŜ matches partnerǰ the igeria niŸersity finals is the current and youngest serŸing him any good. with the sports ministry to or week ŗǰ  Luminar- ames ssociation ǻ Ǽ we highest point scorer for Nigeria agles striker and later coach Both iasia and Onye were let sleeping dog lie as public o both the nder-2ř as well ies will host O iants in are also Ÿery pleaseǰȄ oodness in a competitive game as well members o the ŗşŞ5 set o the e¡change o statements “will kungbaDz IB oyals said. as making history alongside his as the national team has had Flying agles that placed third not do good to both iasia and father (Coach) being on the same his initial lie ban by FIF will tackle IL alabites The Higher Institution Football team. in the -20 World up held igerian sports in general.Ȅ in Benin while B tallions League ǻHiFLǼ an initiatiŸe o reŸersed to a ęŸe-year ban but in the ormer oŸiet nion. 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he bodyFor of the fi rst president of Zambia, KK ofState, Henry Kissinger, Africa was making diplomatic International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1987 for Kenneth Kaunda, will be buried today rounds to African countries to infl uence the a loan. But then the welfarist instinct made him in a private ceremony at the presidential decision of African leaders. America and apartheid reject some of the IMF neo-liberal economic cemetery in Lusaka. South Africa preferred the opponents of the prescriptions. Kaunda died on June 17 at the age of left-wing MPLA namely the National Front Although Kaunda was imbued with enormous 97.T He was Zambia’s president for 27 years. A for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) and the idealism and a solid vision of development major thread running through the tributes paid National Union for the Total Independence of for his country, he was overwhelmed by the Kaunda’s memory is that the man fondly called Angola (UNITA) to be in charge of Angola. contradictions of neo-colonial Africa. Hence KK by admirers around the world was one Mohammed ’s speech was initially to be delivered his philosophy of “Zambian Humanism” (a of the last giants of African liberation struggle. by his deputy, General Olusegun Obasanjo, who mixture of socialist convictions and Christian Kaunda was essentially a devotee of pan- was the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters. faith without intellectual rigour) became an Africanism. But on going through the draft, Mohammed object of derision by the petty- bourgeois Five days ago, the government of President changed his mind. He knew when to seize and even some left-wing assessors of his legacy. Edgar Lungu honoured the memory of Kaunda the historical moment. Mohammed decided Yes, it’ s a historical fact that Kaunda stayed with a state funeral at the National Heroes Stadium to address the OAU meeting himself. As he for too long in power from independence in in Lusaka, the Zambian capital. There was a rehearsed the speech while donning his military 1964 to 1991. He was swept out of power by 21-gun salute. This was apart from the 21 days uniform he reportedly gave instructions that the wave of democratisation on the continent of morning earlier declared in the country with his boots be specially polished for that outing. following the Fall of Berlin Wall and the the national fl ag fl ying at half-mast. Mohammed told the meeting inter alia: … subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union. It Despite COVID-19 ravaging parts of Africa, Africa has Come of age. It is no longer under was also a grave mistake of his political career almost a dozen presidents and heads of Kaunda the orbit of any extra continental power. It that he initially resisted the movement for government attended the state funeral. The should no longer take orders from any country, multi-party democracy led by the trade unionist, African presidents acknowledged the roles against racial injustice in southern Africa. however powerful. The fortunes of Africa are Fredrick Chiluba, who eventually succeeded Kaunda not only in the history of Zambia, but Kaunda was a decent politician. in out hands to make or mar. For too long him as president. also celebrated his impact in Africa He was the fi rst president on the African have we been kicked around: for too long have Those who took over power in Zambia after Among the dignitaries was South African continent to be defeated in a multi-party elections. we been treated like adolescents who cannot the fi rst multiparty elections moved to humiliate President Cyril Ramaphosa who said: “Kaunda He accepted defeat and elected to retire with discern their interests and act accordingly. For Kaunda. After being president for 27 years, was the last surviving leader of the generation grace in 1991. He told his opponent who won the too long has it been presumed that the African his opponents uncharitably questioned his who lit the path to Africa’s freedom from colonial election: “My brother, you have won convincingly needs outside ‘experts’ to tell him who are his Zambian nationality. Kaunda’s mother was misrule.” According to Ramaphosa, South Africa and I accept the people’s decision.” friends and who are his enemies. The time has a Malawian. would “never be able to pay back the debt that come when we should make it clear that we The freedom of the author of the popular we owe” Kaunda.” Besides, Kaunda pursued the cause of freedom can decide for ourselves; that we know our own book, Zambia Shall Be Free, was put in jeopardy. It would be remembered that eight years not only with his head, but also with his heart. interests and how to protect those interest; that The book published in the Heinemann African ago Kaunda’s presence was conspicuous at He shed tears on many occasions in his political we are capable of resolving African problems Writers Series, is both an autography of Kaunda the funeral of Nelson Mandela . Both African career. He was a deeply emotional activist and without presumptuous lessons in ideological and a story of the anti-colonial struggle in leaders shared a passion of total commitment politician. Nigerians of older generation would dangers which, more often than not, have no Zambia. to the cause of freedom and justice. probably recall the following anecdote that relevance for us, nor for the problem at hand. Unfortunately, the exit of Kaunda from the In the heyday of the liberation struggle, there could illustrate this aspect of Kaunda’s political On that occasion Kaunda was elated. He African stage coincides with this period of was a political and ideological bond between personality. reportedly shed some tears of joy, saying that tragic decline in pan-Africanist vision. The Kaunda’s United National Independence Party Former Head of State General Murtala he felt fulfi lled that an African leader could be generation of Kaunda found the purpose of (UNIP) and South Africa’s African National Mohammed made a statement on January so audacious to denounce neo-colonialism and their politics in the broad African context. Congress (ANC), the oldest party on the 11, 1976 at the meeting of the Organisation of imperialism in explicit terms as Mohammed did Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah wrote about an continent. Despite the poor economic status of African Unity (OAU), the precursor of African at the meeting. Mohammed was assassinated all African government decades before the Zambia, the country made enormous sacrifi ces Union (AU), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia . The about a month later. The rest, as they say, is Europeans agreed on a union. When in the for the cause of freedom in southern Africa. It historical relevance of that speech entitled “Africa history. 1930s and 1940s , Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was was a lesson that a poor country could still make Has Come of Age” still resonates today on the The anti- imperialist mood of 45 years ago has already an inspirer to others on the continent in itself historically relevant given a leadership continent. On the agenda was the recognition been upended on the continent. The ferment the struggle for independence, he was not called acting with an organising principle. The of the Movement for the Popular Liberation against neo-colonialism has virtually expired. At Zik of Nigeria; he was known as Zik of Africa. liberation fi ghters found succour and solidarity of Angola (MPLA) after years of the fi ght for the time of Kaunda’s death, African heads of Even more recently, after Thabo Mbeki succeeded in Zambia. The apartheid government of South independence. A week before the meeting, state are routinely summoned to western capitals Mandela as the president of South Africa he Africa attacked Zambia as the racist regime American President Gerald Ford had sent a allegedly to discuss the economic development promoted the idea of “African Renaissance.” sought to intimidate the weaker country. The letter to the Nigerian Head of State through the of the continent in partnership with western Tragically, under the watch of one of Mbeki’s strength of Zambia under Kaunda was more United Sates Ambassador in Lagos, Donald powers. Meanwhile, no one invites the leaders successors, President Cyril Ramaphosa, scores moral and poltical than it was in military Easum. And the famous American Secretary of of the Asian tigers in a continental group to of Nigerians and other Africans have been terms. It was on this basis that Kaunda was his country to discuss economic partnerships. killed in a barbaric upsurge of xenophobia in involved in the struggle. There was a spill-over Africa is, perhaps, the only continent in which South Africa. And these killings of Africans in of the armed struggle against colonial powers presidents are assembled in another continent South Africa have been shamelessly rationalised and apartheid regime in south Africa to the to discuss African problems. In the African by those who feign ignorance of the fact that landlocked Zambia. Yet, Kaunda remained public sphere, words such as imperialism and blacks in South Africa enjoyed the solidarity of undaunted. His head was bloodied; but it neo-colonialism have disappeared even at the the Kaundas of Africa while they were victims remained unbowed. A major thread rhetorical level. Yet the reality of neo-colonial of racist oppression. Whereas the generation of In fact, despite the security threats Kaunda infl uence is palpable in the political economy Kaunda dreamt of African unity, some of the gloriously hosted the 1979 Commonwealth running through of virtually every African country. present generation of African progressives now Conference that partly paved the way for the Since Kaunda’s demise western commentators think of liberation in ethnic and clannish terms. independence of Rhodesia which became the the tributes paid to have passed verdicts on his political career Worse still, in some cases the continent is saddled independent Zimbabwe in 1980. with a neo-colonialist tinge. For instance, in with leaderships with provincial orientations. Little surprise, therefore, that in a similar tone of Kaunda’s memory some cynical quarters his historical contributions The wars of the 1960s and 1970s supported veneration, Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo, to the cause of freedom on the continent have by Kaunda were fought by national liberation said of Kaunda: “We are marking what is truly is that the man been ignored while attention has been focussed heroes with a clear pan-Africanist perspective. the end of an era on our continent... the last of almost exclusively on the severe diffi culties Today the threats of wars are from ethnic war the great freedom fi ghters, the philosopher king”. fondly called KK by that bedevilled the Zambian economy in the lords with a very backward outlook. The 1994 Mourners waived white handkerchiefs to 1970s and 1980s. With the fall in the prices genocide in Rwanda was a negation of the the tunes of dirges for the man called “Africa’s admirers around the of commodities and poor human resource African unity that Kaunda and his generation Ghandi.” In the fi ght for freedom, like the Indian development, there were social convulsions envisioned while fi ghting for independence. leader and sage, Mahatma Gandhi, Kaunda world was one of the on the streets of Zambia. The country that Kaunda, the eight child of his parents who were employed peaceful means. From a young age depended on exports of copper country became teachers, lived and fought as a pan-Africanist. and armed only with his trademark white last giants of African increasingly indebted. Food riots broke out That tribute to his memory will endure beyond handkerchief, Kaunda, a catholic, fought for episodically. Despite Kaunda’s stance against the present. national independence of Zambia as he stood liberation struggle neo-colonialism, he eventually turned to the May the tribe of KK increase in Africa. Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: [email protected], [email protected]. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: [email protected]